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The Basics of the ENGAGE Workshops
We designed and piloted a new, customized professional development course focused on science communication. Our ambitious goal is to reset scientists’ approach to public engagement in just ten brief hours. We combine both theory and practice to build foundational knowledge in the science of science communication—tapping into logic, emotions, awe, risk, and sensemaking—while emphasizing self-authorship and reflexive practice. Bringing in expertise from the social sciences and lived experience, it will challenge pre-existing attitudes, norms, and assumptions to help scientists become more effective and strategic as they grow into science communication practitioners.
The Vision
Help every member of SFS build a reflective science communication practice. The specific goals, tactics, and intensity of our work will vary according to each of our own needs and opportunities. This is an organization of practitioners who are applying the principles of open science to our science engagement practice so we can learn faster and become more effective, together.
The readings, discussions, and activities in this program will help participants build up their:
- Knowledge of the field - “We don’t have to become experts ourselves, but we value expertise in all its forms”
- Practical skills - “Communication and engagement are skills we learn by doing”
- Shared identity - “This is a core piece of what it means to be a member of Solving For Science.”
- Perceived self-efficacy - “Engagement is something I can do, and it is worth my time”
The Results of the Pilot
What we did: We designed and piloted the ENGAGE professional development course for Solving For Science members. We tested the same content in 2-day intensive and 10-week extended course variants. A vast majority of participants stated that ENGAGE changed their perspective on science communication or led them to find new motivation and clarity.
Our approach to science communication is different: both deeply personal and politically engaged. We challenge every participant to stretch far beyond the methods and habits that have served their science well so far. We achieved a balance of being both heady and practical, rigorous and creative. The course is as demanding as it is delightful, and its results are catalytic.
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What’s next?
The vision for our next phase of work is to provide support for scientists where universities cannot or have not, with a long-term vision of informing and inspiring new models of institutional support. In the near term, we will deepen our focus on grounding strategic communications in the day-to-day reality of working scientists.
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