By Edna Fernandez-Figueroa
Continuing a collaboration stretching back to the 2008 Ocean Sciences Meeting in Orlando, these sessions brought the storytelling wisdom of Hollywood to aquatic scientists! Communication expert, author, and improv actor Brian Palermo leads three different sessions aimed at helping scientists from all career stages understand the value of communicating science through stories. Each session has a different focus, so attendees are encouraged to attend as many as possible, to get something different from each one. Follow the links below to learn more! These sessions are supported by a grant to Jonathan Sharp (University of Delaware) from the NSF Ocean Sciences Division.
Make Your Science Communication More Effective
Sunday, Feb 26, 10:00-13:00 or 14:00-17:00
Room 303B
Register here
Interdisciplinary Presentations Workshop
Tuesday Feb 28, 13:00-14:30
Room 302A/B
Science Videos that Engage
Tuesday Feb 28, 18:30-21:30
Room 301B
Science Communication Resources
Check out the links below to learn more about ASLO’s ongoing efforts to support members working to foster new collaborations and bring their science to a larger audience.
Videos
- Improv exercises from Expert Village: “First Letter, Last Letter” and “Yes, And?” (90 seconds each)
- Randy Olson’s TED talk about the “And, But, Therefore” storytelling template (10 minutes)
- Randy Olson’s webinar about the Story Circles Narrative Training program (1 hour)
- “Why aren’t they listening?” panel discussion at OSM 2014 (1 hour)
- “Overcoming the cultural gap between scientists and the public” panel discussion at OSM 2012 (2 hours)
Articles
- ASLO Bulletin: “Translating Science into Stories”
- ASLO Bulletin: “More than workshops: Science communication training at ASLO”
- ASLO Bulletin: “Improv training for scientists” by Brian Palermo
- Scientia: “Communicating Science: Bridging the Great Divide” by Jonathan Sharp
Books
- Don’t Be Such a Scientist: Talking Substance in an Age of Style (2009) by Olson (Oceanography review)
- Escape from the Ivory Tower: A Guide to Making Your Science Matter (2011) by Baron (Oceanography review)
- Connection: Hollywood Storytelling Meets Critical Thinking (2013) by Olson, Barton, and Palermo (ASLO Bulletin review)
- Houston, We Have a Narrative: Why Science Needs Story (2015) by Olson (ASLO Bulletin review)