Workshop: Social Media & Science Communication (Part 1)

Karen Lips klips@umd.edu

@kwren88

Slides posted here: http://figshare.com/authors/Karen%20Lips/278233

Conservation as usual is not enoughGrand Challenges in Env. Sci., National Academies of Science, 2001

• Today’s conservation problems are complex, synergistic issues

• They cross geopolitical boundaries – E.g., Emerging infectious diseases, biodiversity & ecosystem functioning, climate

variability, land use

• They require multidisciplinary & interdisciplinary collaborations (often international)– Breadth & depth of knowledge– Strong quantitative skills– Communication skills– Innovation, creativity

Pop Quiz!• What is your dream job? If you could do

anything, what would it be?• In that dream job, think about your daily

activities. What are you doing? Who do you meet? How do you spend most of your time?

discuss

Pop quiz:

• How does going to grad school help you get your Dream Job? – what specific things do you think will be most

helpful in getting the job?• Do you plan to go on for a PhD? Why?

discuss

What can you expect?http://occamstypewriter.org/athenedonald/2014/02/08/thinking-about-the-pipeline/

Royal Society 2010: UK Scientific PhDs

Lots of different kinds of jobs in biology:

• Traditional: Academia, museums, agencies– Although those jobs themselves have changed in recent years– Increased roles of outreach

• Alternative professional routes– Zoos, NGOs, advocacy/lobbying, think tanks– Business: sustainability, biotech

Some Resources: Finding a Job

• Ecojobs.com website• Job Boards: Texas A&M;

Society for Conservation Biology; your society

• Listservers: EvolDir, Ecolog-L

• Science magazine ads• Twitter: EvolDir, Ecolog,

institutions, people

What skills will you need?

1) Marketable Skills & Experiences• Traditional academic training, coursework

– Technical: genetics, genomics– Quantitative skills: GIS, mark-recapture,

occupancy, R, stats– Critical thinking, Problem solving skills

Pop quiz: communication

In one sentence, what is the main message of your research?

Who needs to hear your message?How will you be sure they hear your message?

discuss

Pop quiz: communication

• How many of you have sought specific training in oral and written communication skills?

• How many of you are currently involved in community outreach, public education about science?

• How many of you have a professional Social Media account (e.g., twitter, FB, blog, tumblr)

discuss

Where’s your audience?

Bik & Goldsein 2013

Want to learn more?

Want to learn more? Guide for talking with media & policymakers

Pop Quiz: communication 2

• Who do you think will be your primary audience?

discuss

From Liz NeeleyThe communication – research feedback loop

You’ll need to be versed in communicating in all these different arenas

• Traditional: Presentations, writing– diverse forms: academic & nonacademic

• Media communication• Educational and community outreach

– Ability to talk across boundaries; experience and exposure to other ideas

• Newer: Podcasts, videos, Social Media (Twitter, FB, blogs)

Who are you likely to talk to?

• Many Types from many fields– Policy makers; campesinos; celebrities & CEOs

• Get out of your comfort zone, find common ground

• Where: elevator pitch, church, cocktail parties, airplane rides, events, meetings, neighborhood; online

Pop Quiz: Leadership

• Have you sought training?• Are you currently involved in leadership

activities?

discuss

What leadership skills will you need?

• Leaders are able to communicate a common vision & facilitate implementation

• Communication & networking are your leadership tools

• We all have the potential to contribute

Planning for your futurehttp://myidp.sciencecareers.org/

Summary: Lessons Learned

• Change happens incrementally, often in unexpected ways• Be nimble, take advantage of momentum• Be patient when it’s slow

• Get out of your comfort zone• Collaborations are hard, but foster creative thinking• Don’t be afraid to cross boundaries or to step up

thankyou

Download this presentation from Karen’s FigShare page:

http://figshare.com/authors/Karen%20Lips/278233