Speaking Science history and purpose
Speaking Science launched in 2018 after a conversation between colleagues highlighted an opportunity for the University of Minnesota science communications community to gather for networking and shared learning. Over the years, Speaking Science has had several different iterations including keynote presentations, one-day conferences, and stand-alone sessions.
We see Speaking Science as a platform for the science communication community to further develop knowledge and skills across disciplines such as health, social sciences, engineering, and data science. Through hosting annual events, this collaborative effort aims to create a space for colleagues to break out of administrative silos and hyper-focused research specialization — highlighting the importance of sharing salient and transferable lessons across disciplines.
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Event objectives and audience
Our annual conference provides an immersive opportunity for a diverse audience of UMN faculty, research staff, graduate students, postdocs, and communications professionals to:
- Build connections among systemwide SciComm activities, initiatives, and practitioners
- Strengthen and diversify science communication skills
Keynote and breakout presenters each year are invited from within the University of Minnesota and from our wide University network of communications colleagues and national organizations across various sectors like research, news media, and web design. These professionals share their expertise with the wide assortment of UMN faculty, staff, grad students, and postdocs that are invited to attend the conference. Explore our recap of Speaking Science 2025 to learn more.