Becoming a better science communicator takes sustained engagement. With that in mind, we envision Speaking Science as a platform for sharing opportunities and raising the visibility of local expertise in this area.
Events below are a mix of post conference programming as well as other scicomm-related events independently organized across the across the University of Minnesota. Be part of the science communication ecosystem!
Got an event you’d like to see listed here? Submit it to this form.
APRIL
April 20, 2023
Closing Keynote + Reception:
Inclusive Science Communication to Engage Diverse Audiences
Bell Museum | 7 - 9 p.m.
Dr. Mónica Feliú-Mójer will share examples of inclusive science communication and how these strategies can be applied to meaningfully engage diverse audiences, especially historically marginalized populations, and foster dialogue.
Bio: Dr. Mónica Feliú-Mójer is a bilingual scientist-turned-communicator. She taps into her PhD training, personal background, and culture (a woman from a rural working class community in Puerto Rico) to engage historically underserved and overlooked audiences, especially Puerto Ricans and other Spanish speakers, with science.
Tickets on sale now!
Wednesday, April 5
Speaking Science Presents:
Creating Short and Compelling Videos – a guide to creating engaging 1-minute videos without professional video experience
10 – 11:30 a.m. CDT, via Zoom | Registration required
You know you want to do more video, but you’re not quite sure where to start. Are you having nightmares about how much extra equipment you’re going to need (a new camera? a microphone? a light reflector?!) and the extra time video might take? Learn about how to partner with your content experts and use little more than a smartphone and some basic graphics to create short, compelling videos.
Ben Nabors is commercial director, producer, and media consultant living in Brooklyn, NY. He is the director and producer of WILLIAM AND THE WINDMILL (winner of the Grand Jury Prize, SXSW 2013), co-director and producer of THE HAPPY FILM (Tribeca 2016), and co-writer and producer of THE SOUND OF SILENCE (Sundance, 2019), starring Peter Sarsgaard and Rashida Jones. In 2010, he founded the NYC-based production studio {group theory}.
April 10, 17, or 24
Speaking Science Presents:
Intro to Inclusive Science Communication: a primer for grad students and postdocs
8:30 – 10:30 a.m. (all dates), locations vary | Registration required
How do scientists learn to become effective communicators? These hands-on workshops led by graduate students are designed to help you develop your communication skills and practice engaging diverse audiences. We will explore common challenges, like identifying your audience, shaping your message, and translating jargon through an inclusive scicomm lens. Choose the workshop that best meets your needs and interests: SciComm for Qualitative Researchers (April 10); SciComm for Quantitative Researchers (April 17); SciComm for BIPOC Researchers (April 24).
Wednesday, April 12
Speaking Science Presents:
Art & Ecology
8 – 10:30 a.m. CDT, Cargill Auditorium (in-person only) | Registration required
Art and ecology are tightly intertwined. Nature inspires artistic practice. The materials from which art is made often come from chemical compounds that have their roots in both inorganic and organic beings. Artistic practice is based on observation, curiosity, and an openness to trying new things. Scientists can learn a lot from the mindset and approach of artists. Through the interdisciplinary practice of socially engaged art, we aim to bring together people from all backgrounds to wonder, learn, and push the boundaries of ecological, societal, and artistic thinking. How do we view and interact with non-native species? Can we approach grand challenges in climate change and ecological disturbance with a hopeful lens? By collaborating across disciplinary boundaries, people can tackle pressing issues with a more holistic approach. Following the panel discussion (8:30–9:30 a.m.), participants are invited to stay for an interactive natural pigments workshop (9:30–10:30 a.m.).
Maria Park is a PhD candidate in the Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior program at the University of Minnesota. She functions at the intersections of ecology, art, and community engagement.
Kimberly Boustead is a Minneapolis-based artist and designer working with natural materials and interested in connection of people and place.
Christine Baeumler is an environmental artist and a professor in the area of Interdisciplinary Art and Social Practice in the Department of Art, College of Liberal Arts (CLA).
Thursday, April 13
Speaking Science Presents:
Visually Communicating Climate Science: The process of creating visuals in the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
8 – 10 a.m. CDT, Room R380, Learning & Environmental Sciences, St. Paul Campus | Registration required
The reports produced by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) are collaboratively authored by hundreds of climate scientists around the world, who assess thousands of scientific literature about climate change. These reports are reviewed, collaboratively edited, and adopted by 195 governments before they are published. This may be one of the most intensive examples of collaboration that exists at the global level.
This presentation is a case study on visually communicating complex science through an international, consensus-based process: outlining the role of the co-design process in bringing consensus – in particular as societies formulate their own adaption to the impacts of climate change. To build cooperation to adapt to climate change, we communicators need to adopt processes that allow for significant community engagement and dialogue. Building upon co-design techniques established within this Assessment cycle (AR6), this presentation describes the challenges and opportunities of designing visuals in the IPCC global collaborative space: In an environment where the ‘messiness’ of the creative design process flexes to accommodate multiple rounds of iteration, collaboration, and the mandated timelines of global IPCC procedures.
As Graphics Officer with IPCC, Arlene Birt collaborated with 30+ climate scientists around the world to develop figures for the Synthesis Report of the 6th Assessment Report cycle (AR6) – launched in March 2023.
Arlene Birt is the founder and chief visual storyteller at Background Stories, working with change-making organizations in the US, EU, and UK to translate complex ideas, systems, and metrics into clear visuals that help people (especially non-experts) understand sustainability. An expert in information visualization and narrative visuals to communicate sustainability, Arlene is also a professor at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and a public artist creating participatory, data-focused public artwork on social and environmental topics.
Thursday, April 13
Speaking Science Presents:
Fear, Failure, and Catastrophe: How to Talk With Strangers About Your Science, Part 2: The Tough Audiences
12 –1 p.m. CDT, HSEC 4-193 | Email Brian Sostek to register (participants limited to 10)
How do you deal with oppositional audiences? From snarky members of your lab to science deniers, even the most problematic of audiences can present opportunities that supportive ones can't. We'll take the fundamental elements of How To Talk With Strangers About Your Science, Part 1, and test them under more, shall we say, interesting circumstances. Feel free to bring your lunch!