Resources: General SciComm

*This list is dynamic, and in-development. Feel free to make suggestions (use the comments section or contact us directly) re additional resources and great examples that should be included.

GETTING STARTED: The “Self-Promotion” Dilemma

• Why researchers should interact with the public by Karen McKee, The Scientist Videographer, 24 June 2014.
• Making peace with self promotion by Liz Neeley, CompassBlogs, 30 May 2014.
• Self-promotion debate on Dynamic Ecology blog
• A case for scientists to talk to reporters (and work with PIOs) by Matt Shipman, SciLogs, 22 January 2014.
• Why scientists should publicize their findings – for purely selfish reasons by Matt Shipman, June 18 2012.
• Escape from the Ivory Tower by Dr Nancy Baron, August 2010, particularly part 1.
• Don’t be such a scientist: Talking substance in an age of style by Dr Randy Olson (credits include Flock of Dodos and Sizzle), May 2010, chapter 5.
  

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GETTING STARTED: Getting on the SciComm Bandwagon

• Begin with these 14 tips by Robb Dunn which can apply to all media: “Advice for Scientists Who Want to Write for the Public.”
• Communicating science: tools for scientists and engineersby AAAS
• Please Explain: Training Scientists to Be Better Communicators by Dennis Meredith, The Chronicle of Higher Education, May 16 2010.
• Flowchart for selecting a venue to communicate science online
• Translating research beyond academia: be your own quartermaster
• Science-to-Action guidebooks for scientists and decision-makers seeking to bridge science-policy gap
• Communicating science through context
• Practical Science Communication Strategies for Graduate Students (Conservation Biology .pdf)
• Climate Change in the American Mind: recent survey data to help you understand your audience
• 12 laws online writers should know about
• Top five tips for communicating science by Randy Olson, New Scientist, 1 October 2009

PUBLIC SPEAKING

Just imagine if more conference presentations were made based on the following principles for strong public speaking.

• 7 tips for a mind-blowing TED talk; equally useful for a good conference or public talk
• How to speak compellingly & connect with your audience; breakdown of TED talk given by Chris Anderson (TED curator)
• The best research poster ever made; a science communicator’s interview with a research scientist who raised the bar
• A short (tongue-in-cheek) guide to better PowerPoint presentations; guest post by Simon J. Brandle, a participant of our #ESA2014 workshop.

SCIENCE FOR KIDS

Keeping in mind that adults often appreciate the same anecdotes and “Did you knows” that children do, these resources can be useful for planning scicomm for audiences of all ages.

• Using Picture Storybooks to Support Young Children’s Science Learning
• The effect of anthropomorphic picture books on children’s knowledge about animals

STORYTELLING

• Can storytelling be factual and effective? from Randy Olson who wrote Don’t be such a scientist
• Context, perspective, and the “other”
• Pixar’s 22 rules for storytelling (infographic)
• Stuck in a moment you can’t get out of

SOCIAL MEDIA

• A “scientific” guide to the best times for various social media posts
• How I got a job through Twitter 
• How Twitter amplifies your reach
• National Public Radio Social Media ethics guidelines
• Social media: a virtual school of Athens for researchers
• Social media terms of service – photographers beware!
• Social media tips for Scientists & Science Writers
• Social Media 101: Notes From My Talk At Sharing Science