Why should scientists communicate about their research? How do I craft a message about my work? Who can help me deliver that message?

1. Science
Communications
Presented by Rachel Coker
September 2013

2. Why communicate?

3. Why communicate?
Selfish reasons:
• Your reputation
• Impact of your research
• Funding agency requirement

4. Why communicate?
And for the altruists:
• Your institution’s reputation
• Knowledge transfer
• Public good

5. How does it work?

6. How does it work?
Identify an audience:
• Others within your discipline
• Scientists outside your field
• The lay public
• Children

7. How does it work?
Hone your message:
• Describe the big picture and most important
conclusion.
• Settle on three things you want your
audience to remember. (Three results, three
reasons your work matters, three potential
applications, etc.)

8. How does it work?
Avoid jargon at all costs!

9. How does it work?
It’s time to practice:
• Start with a friend, your grandma, a bartender.
• Revise your talk based on their questions.
• Practice until you’re comfortable.

10. How does it work?
“If you can't explain it simply,
you don't understand it well enough.”
— Albert Einstein

11. How does it work?
Devise a strategy to reach your audience
and consider asking for help from a:
• Public information officer (PIO)
• Teacher
• Event organizer

12. Binghamton’s approach
• Discover-e
• Binghamton
Research
• Special events
• Media releases
• Publications and
websites from the
colleges

13. Success stories

14. Success stories

15. Conclusion
1. Communicating about your work can
enhance your reputation and boost the
impact of your research.
2. It requires preparation.
3. There are people ready to help you with
this task.

16. Questions?
Ask me now or find me later:
Rachel Coker
Director of Research Advancement
rcoker@binghamton.edu
607-777-6135