The University of Minnesota’s hub for science communication – past, present, and future.
Mission / Purpose Statement
Speaking Science strengthens connections between science and society. As the University of Minnesota’s science communication community, it creates space for dialogue, learning, and storytelling – offering events, training, and resources that help faculty, students, and staff engage in ways that build trust, understanding, and impact.
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History & Evolution
Launched in 2018 as an annual conference, Speaking Science has grown into a year-round initiative. Today, it includes year-round events (such as our Trivia Night and the winter Storytelling Soirée), a quarterly newsletter, and a growing calendar of workshops and partner gatherings across the University of Minnesota.
Who It's For
Speaking Science is designed for:
- Faculty & Researchers who want to strengthen their communication skills and share their work more effectively
- Graduate Students who are seeking training, community, and career development opportunities
- Communications Practitioners who want to build peer connections, expand their skills, and strengthen their work
- Partners & Collaborators who see communication as central to advancing science and public impact
Why It Matters
How we communicate science shapes how people understand, trust, and act on it. Speaking Science fosters a culture where exchange is reciprocal and rooted in curiosity, inclusivity, and public good. It gives faculty, students, and communicators the skills – and the community – to tell stories that matter, stories that connect science with public life.
We live in an era of fragile trust, fragmented attention, and fast-moving misinformation. But we also live in a time of resilient communities and powerful tools for connection. That tension is exactly why Speaking Science matters. By investing in skills, community, and shared values now, we are building the future of science communication – one where a faculty member can connect with new audiences, a student can find their voice, and a practitioner can spark dialogue that resonates well beyond campus.
Partners & Collaborators
Speaking Science is a cross-campus collaboration supported by the Institute on the Environment, the College of Biological Sciences, the Bell Museum, and units across the University of Minnesota. We work with faculty, staff, students, and external partners to grow a community of practice dedicated to science communication that serves the public good.