Communications for Senior Scientists

Recipients of major research grants and awards are expected to be excellent communicators about their research to both public audiences and to students. Some major awards require scientists to be involved in public outreach as a condition of the award, many university positions are expected to work with the media on a regular basis, and emerging areas of research have such far-reaching social implications that they demand public engagement, such as in health care, nanotechnology, or food and water-related research.

At present, there are very few, if any, dedicated top-quality communications programs for senior scientists. The Science Communications program at The Banff Centre program is planning to add a short, intense, specialized four-day session aimed at senior scientists whose leadership roles include a communications mandate. It will significantly boost the effectiveness of outreach in specific science disciplines by exploring high quality and creative approaches to science communications.

About the Program

The program departs from the traditional modes of science communications and public education where “translation” of science into lay terms has been the norm. There is little evidence that these traditional methods are effective in involving or interesting the public in science issues. Instead, this program will help scientists think creatively about science in the public sphere, and develop tools for new approaches to communicating about science.

A team of communications specialists will meet with senior scientists in this program to develop a two-way sophisticated understanding of the communications challenges in specific disciplines. Participants will leave with a framework for creative science communications, a co-authored publication, podcasts, and a public webcast of a science salon.

The Banff Centre would like to recognize the following sponsor for generous support of this program: