Tools of the Trade: Communicating Science

Discovery is crucial to science-it is what scientific research is all about. But to have an impact, discovery must be communicated. Communication that is clear and engages listeners can lead to funding for more discoveries, adoption of new treatments, improved public policy, new collaborations, and inspire others to appreciate science. 

To tell the story of your research in a way that connected with listening, the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) presents, Tools of the Trade: Communicating Science. This five-part series will provide practical and implementable skills to biomedical researchers to help them communicate their research. Sessions include:

-    Discussing your Research in the Media
-    A Tool not a Toy: Using Social Media to Advance your Research Career
-    Writing for Publication
-    Creating Connections: Engage & Inspire Diverse Audiences through Effective Communication
-    Poster Presentations: Best Practices for Design and Presentations

Sessions will be held throughout the months of April and May in a virtual format. 

Discussing Your Research in the Media- 4/13

• Media Relations Senior Consultant Eileen Scahill and Dr. Trent Hall will provide attendees with an inside look at their recent workings on showcasing research to the media. Attendees will learn the tools and methods needed to increase engagement with your research and how to use the Media to your advantage following recent publication.
  • Dr. Trent Hall: Physician in Psychiatry at College of Medicine
  • Eileen Scahill: Senior Consultant, Media Relationships, Wexner Medical Center
  • Zoom registration link 

Creating Connections: Engage & Inspire Diverse Audiences Through Effective Communication- 4/19

• Designed to introduce organizations and their researchers to the Alda Method, this interactive session offers simple improvisational theater exercises and basic message-design techniques so program participants can begin to explore ways to build trust and engage audiences in science. Participants will have the chance to practice new skills and strategies in pairs or small groups and offer each other feedback.
  • Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University
  •  RedCap registration

Poster Presentations: Best Practices for Design and Presentations- 5/4

• Learn best practices for making an oral presentation that stimulates interest. Data visualization is a way of presenting data in a visual context. Learn skills such as determining the best format to present your data based on research question, data type, audience, and medium. Also learn to create static, dynamic, and interactive visualizations and infographics. 
  • Jennifer A. Muszynski, MD, MPH, FCCM, Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care Medicine at Nationwide Children's Hospital and The Ohio State University College of Medicine. 
  • Anthony Baker, CMI, Medical Illustrator; Courtney Fleming, Graphic Illustrator; Lee-Arng Chang, Data Visualization Specialist;  all The Ohio State University Libraries.
• Lee-Arng Chang, Data Visualization Specialist at The Ohio State University Libraries
•  Zoom registration link

A Tool Not a Toy: Using Social Media to Advance Your Research Career- 5/12

• Social media isn’t just for personal use anymore. Learning the tips and trick to use social media to your advantage when promoting your research will provide you with another avenue to advancing your research career. This session will provide attendees with information related to the most effective ways to use social media to increase your professional visibility and engage with colleagues across the world. 
  • Dr. James MacDonald: Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Family Medicine & Physician for Nationwide Children’s Sports Medicine
  • Dr. Tamar Gur: Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Neuroscience, and Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Zoom registration link 

Writing for Publication- 5/24

• Program attendees will learn how to decide what and when to publish, how to choose and target the right journal and editor, how to organize and manage the writing process, tips on style and mechanics of writing, how to avoid and treat writer’s block, how to appeal to editors and reviewers, and tips on adapting to the U.S. culture of peer-to-peer science communication. 
  • Beth Schachter, PhD, Still Point Coaching and Consulting
  • Zoom registration link 

Close captioning text for registration form and announcements.

This event will be presented with automated closed captions. If you wish to request traditional CART services or other accommodations, please contact Stuart Hobbs at stuart.hobbs@osumc.edu or 614-685-5972. Requests made up to 10 days before the event generally will allow us to provide seamless access, but the university will make every effort to meet requests made after this time.