Speaking Science:

Communicating with Media, Funders, Policymakers, and the Public

Thursday, January 17, 2018
8AM – 7 PM
Coffman Memorial Union

Land-grant research universities like ours were created to share knowledge with the broader community. It is part of our mission and something we all care deeply about. For scientists and researchers, that call to communicate has taken on special resonance in recent years as debates about vaccines, evolution and climate change point to a divergence between scientific consensus and public opinion.

Speaking Science is a science communication conference designed to help scientists, engineers, and other researchers develop stronger storytelling skills that will make their work understandable and compelling to the media, thought leaders, potential funders and general audiences. The conference is specifically designed to provide faculty, post-docs and graduate students across the University of Minnesota with a unique opportunity to learn how to better communicate their science to audiences beyond the academic community.

The one-day conference will feature special guests including President Eric Kaler, an all-star media panel, a keynote speech by science communications expert Emily Graslie. The afternoon is focused on in-depth interactive trainings, and break-out sessions that include mock interviews with local journalists that will provide participants with invaluable feedback about how to frame their research in the most compelling way possible.

The Speaking Science reception will be held from 5-7 p.m. at the Weisman Art Museum (WAM). Reception guests will have private access to the Museum’s collections. Live music by the Broken Heartland String Band will have you dancing, or at the very least, tapping your feet. We’ll also feature presentations from the finalists of the Graduate School’s 3-Minute Thesis Competition.

Registration Opens November 1st for Sponsoring Colleges and Units.