Caitlin Looby and Julie Hanus seated on stage answering audience questions.

Apr 16

Speaking Science 2026

Join us at Coffman Memorial Union on Thursday, April 16, for Speaking Science: a full-day opportunity for faculty, staff, and graduate students to strengthen science communication skills and build connections across the University of Minnesota SciComm community.

UMN Only

In-Person

Date Apr 16, 2026

Time 09:00 am - 05:00 pm

location Coffman Memorial Union

organizer

Bell Museum, College of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, Institute on the Environment, Masonic Cancer Center, Office of Academic Clinical Affairs

Keynote Introduction: Caitlin Looby

As a scientist-turned journalist, I’ve spent my career thinking about trust – how we earn it, lose it and why it matters. From hiking cloud forests as an ecologist to reporting on the Great Lakes, I’ve learned that strong evidence alone rarely persuades. Credibility doesn’t automatically make someone trustworthy. And trust isn’t built by delivering facts – it’s built through connection, transparency and listening.

Recent global research shows that trust in scientists remains relatively high, but it’s uneven, shaped by politics and lived experience. In the U.S., science has grown increasingly polarized. Now, many people don’t just question findings, they question scientists’ motivations.

Local storytelling can bridge that gap, making science relevant, relatable and human. I’ll share practical lessons from both journalism and science, highlighting where academia and media can collaborate. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies for building trust, engaging audiences and telling stories that truly resonate and actually move the needle forward in their communities.

Faculty Lightning Talks: The Science Communication Blueprint

Faculty Speakers

Jim Kakalios

Silvia Balbo

Solomon David

How do you translate from research to reality? In this main stage session, join UMN researchers Silvia Balbo, Solomon David and Jim Kakalios for a series of rapid-fire presentations highlighting science “in action,” followed by a panel discussion. They will share more about the "why" behind their communication choices and provide a mental framework to make science accessible to everyone.

Panelists

Jim Kakalios - Professor & Head, School of Physics and Astronomy (College of Science and Engineering)
Silvia Balbo - Professor, Division of Environmental Health Sciences (School of Public Health)
Solomon David - Assistant Professor, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology (College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences)

Block A Breakout Sessions

Story Circles: A tool for community connection and understanding

In this interactive session, Wonderlust Productions will share insights from their work, conduct a demonstration story circle, and discuss how to listen and tell transformative stories that contain many different truths. What is a story circle? Rooted in Indigenous practices and utilized in a variety of formats by artists, educators, researchers, and social practitioners, a story circle is designed to be an empowering experience for expression, listening, and learning. With enough structure to create emotional safety and enough openness for a diversity of perspectives, it can be a valuable tool to create a space for deeper sharing and understanding.

Presenters: Leah Cooper & Alan Berks, Wonderlust Productions

Wonderlust Productions is a local professional performance ensemble that makes epic plays and other art in collaboration with communities such as caregivers, state workers, people impacted by incarceration, and others.

Leah Cooper has been directing, producing, and managing in theater for over 30 years. She was the first Executive Director of the MN Theater Alliance, serving over 450 theaters across the state; co-founding partner at MinnesotaPlaylist.com, and Executive Director at the MN Fringe Festival. The unifying theme to her passion is inclusive creativity and creative inclusivity.
Alan M. Berks is a theater-maker whose work has been seen all over the country. He has written or co-written the majority of plays and other art produced by Wonderlust. Alan is also a teacher, communications consultant, former communications director at Pillsbury House + Theatre and co-founder and former editor of MinnesotaPlaylist.com.

The Art of the Interview: Hands on practice with a science journalist

Interviews can be stressful on both sides of the table — whether you’re explaining your own scientific discoveries or trying to understand someone else’s research. Practice interview techniques in this immersive session led by science journalist Emily Sohn. You will discuss the art and science of the interview, explore the “message box” technique, practice thinking like both a journalist and a scientist, and connect with fellow researchers and communicators.

Presenter: Emily Sohn

Minneapolis-based journalist Emily Sohn is the 2025 recipient of the Sharon Begley Award for Science Reporting and the 2025 Kovler Prize for Trust in Life Science Journalism. Her stories have appeared in National Geographic, Nature, Scientific American, The New York Times, and many other publications. She is writing a book about creatures thriving in surprising places, redefining what wilderness is and uncovering unexpected ways we can support the natural world.

From Research to Reach: Using StoryMaps to communicate science

Bring your laptop for this session. Active participation requires it.

ArcGIS StoryMaps is a powerful platform that integrates spatial thinking with storytelling to present information in a compelling, interactive, and easy to understand format. StoryMaps also offer a solution to the long-standing challenge of transferring scientific research to a broader audience. This capability is free and easily accessible to all students, faculty, and staff at the University of Minnesota. This workshop will be divided into two sections: the first will focus on the power of Story Maps to convey science in a meaningful way, highlighting examples of effective science communication at the University and beyond. The second section will provide a hands-on demonstration of how to build and share a simple StoryMap, guiding participants through key features such as layout design, embedding maps and media, and publishing options. By the end of the session, participants will have a clear understanding of how StoryMaps can be used to enhance research visibility, support teaching and outreach efforts, and engage diverse audiences.

Presenters: Stacey Stark and Sarah Porter @ U-Spatial

Stacey Stark is the Associate Director of U-Spatial in Research Computing, Research and Innovation Office (RIO) at the University of Minnesota. Stacey is a part of the team that ensures faculty, staff, and students across the UMN system have the geospatial data, expertise, and tools they need for teaching and research across disciplines.
Sarah Porter has served as Operations Manager at U-Spatial at the University of Minnesota since June 2025. In this role, she oversees staff resources and manages projects designed to expand and promote the use of geospatial products and applications across the University and to external partners. Prior to joining U-Spatial, she worked as a Geographer with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, where she applied her geospatial expertise to support conservation planning in agricultural landscapes.

Being Clear, Being You: An introduction to the RED framework

Effective presenting doesn't require becoming someone else – or reinventing the wheel every time. This session introduces the RED (Relational Experience Development) framework: a practical approach to clearer messaging, more efficient preparation, and authentic, high-impact delivery.

Presenter: Chris Carlson

Chris Carlson is the creator of the RED (Relational Experience Development) Seminar Series — a speaker coaching program developed at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Immunology and Masonic Cancer Center that helps scientists and researchers deliver clearer, more compelling presentations. A professional actor with over 200 credits spanning stage, screen, and voiceover, Chris brings a performance framework to presentation coaching that is practical, authentic, and grounded in real scientific communication challenges. His breakout session introduces the RED approach: clearer messaging, more efficient preparation, and high-impact delivery — without becoming someone you’re not.

Imperfect Drafts: Writing your story to build climate confidence

Join Change Narrative for an interactive group workshop designed to support reflection and the writing of personal climate narratives. Through guided prompts and a think–pair–share model, participants explore the power of their voice while building confidence by sharing “imperfect drafts” in a supportive, affirming setting.

Participants will leave with a story spark, short blurb, or early draft, along with a deeper understanding of how their lived experiences can contribute to collective solutions for a better world.

Presenter: Jothsna Harris

Block B Breakout Sessions

Engaging with the Media and Beyond

The need to communicate the value of University research and its relevance to our shared future has never been greater. Are you interested in sharing your science with a broader audience, but not quite sure where to start? Join UMN Public Relations Strategists Christopher Kelly and Savannah Erdman, Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Professor Emilie Snell-Rood, and Genetics, Cell Biology and Development Associate Professor Kate Adamala for a session on how to do just that!

Presenters: Christopher Kelly, Savannah Erdman, Emilie Snell-Rood and Kate Adamala

Beyond the Exhibits: Bringing science to the forefront of an institutional story

When the Science Museum of Minnesota made a strategic decision to amplify its scientific research and collections – not just its visitor experience – it required a fundamental shift in how the Marketing and Communications team told the institution's story. This session, relevant for anyone seeking to make science the center of their storytelling, explores that pivot: why it mattered, how it's being executed, and case studies that show what it looks like to bring behind-the-scenes science to the forefront for a lay audience.

Presenter: Emma Filar

Emma Filar is Senior Director of Communications at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Previously, she served as Communications and Marketing Manager at the National Museum of Women in the Arts and Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. She holds an MA in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University and a BA from the University of Virginia.

A Conversation with Caitlin Looby – Pursuing a career as a science communicator or journalist

How do you prepare for a career in science communication or journalism? What skills and strengths can scientists bring to these fields – and, in turn, how do the professional practices of storytelling and communication interact with and broaden our understanding of our science? In this discussion-based breakout, keynote speaker Caitlin Looby, PhD, Great Lakes reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, will share a few reflections and lessons learned from her own career trajectory, before opening it up to questions for attendees. This session is geared toward graduate students and postdocs exploring possible career paths, but anyone who is interested in making science communication or journalism a larger part of their career is welcome.

Presenter: Caitlin Looby

Caitlin Looby is a scientist-turned-journalist and the Great Lakes reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, where she covers environmental issues, climate change and history within the Great Lakes basin. She draws on more than a decade of scientific research, including fieldwork in tropical cloud forests, to make complex science accessible to readers. Before joining the Journal Sentinel in 2022, she taught science communication and trained scientists to engage the public at the University of Minnesota. Her work has appeared in university, local, national and international outlets, as well as on radio and in outdoor publications. In 2023, she delivered a TEDx talk on rebuilding public trust in science.

Imperfect Drafts: Writing your story to build climate confidence (also available in Block A)

Participants will leave with a story spark, short blurb, or early draft, along with a deeper understanding of how their lived experiences can contribute to collective solutions for a better world.

Presenter: Jothsna Harris

Being Clear, Being You: An introduction to the RED framework (also available in Block A)

Effective presenting doesn't require becoming someone else—or reinventing the wheel every time. This session introduces the RED (Relational Experience Development) framework: a practical approach to clearer messaging, more efficient preparation, and authentic, high-impact delivery.

Presenter: Chris Carlson