SciComm opportunities off campus
Interested in reaching out to public audiences? There are opportunities to learn more and improve your science communication skills here at NC State and around the country.
On campus, the Public Science cluster runs monthly workshops on a variety of topics; subscribe to our listserv to keep up to date.
Below are suggested resources to help you learn, practice and network beyond campus. Get in touch with us if you need our help contacting any of these resources, or mentoring in applying for them.
Resources at NC State
- Courses at NC State
- SciComm announcements and events
- Sign up for the Public Science listserv
- Follow @PublicSci_NCSU on Twitter for announcements of local events
- Join the Graduate Science Communication Association
On the Couch
Resources for science communication self-education
Reading
Here are our top four resources for scicomm self-education:
- Escape from the Ivory Tower by Nancy Baron is a great all-purpose “Guide to Making Your Science Matter”
- You can practice using the book’s basic tool online at The Message Box Workbook.
- Science Communication scholars Besley & Dudo can help you think through your Science Communication Objectives. You can’t hit the target if you don’t know what you’re aiming at.
- If you need a good shake to take you out of scientist-mode, try Randy Olson’s Don’t Be Such a Scientist.
Need more? Check out the list of Scicomm Resources Online from Compass, the nation’s premier training group.
Online Trainings (and more!)
You can also keep your eyes open for online trainings, conversations, and resource collections. Here’s a small sample:
- The Alda-Kavli Learning Center is developing a set of free online “courses” on a variety of #scicomm topics
- Sigma Xi Science Communication Laboratory coaching
- American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Art of Science Communication online short course
- Friends of Joe’s Big Idea hosts a set of Slack channels devoted to discussions of scicomm
- The Open Notebook, a professional development site for science reporters
- InformalScience.org collects resources related to science learning in settings like museums, youth centers and science festivals
- Federal of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), video of Workshop on Responsible Communication of Basic Biomedical Research: Enhancing Awareness and Avoiding Hype
Around the Triangle
Opportunities in our local science communication community
Local Organizations
Sign up for Science Communicators of North Carolina (SCONC) to keep on top of current happenings and meet your fellow SciCommers.
Go to ComSciCon Triangle in March/April (applications in January).
The IMPACTS program at UNC’s Morehead Planetarium & Science Center will train you in science communication before setting you loose with some of their partnering organizations (deadline in April).
Check out the scicomm offerings at Duke University.
Science Cafes
Attend a science cafe and see if you’d like to get involved; contact us if you’d like us to network you with the organizers!
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
- Beer Reviewed Science, a project of the NC State Center for Human Health & the Environment
- Carolina Science Cafe at the Morehead Planetarium & Science Center
- Periodic Tables, a project of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society
Across the Nation
National science communication organizations and opportunities
Find Your Peers
Attend a event:
- the national ComSciCon workshop in June (application due in February).
- Science Talk, an annual conference.
- The annual west coast SciCommCamp.
Attend a Short Course
- The Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science offers a variety of programming.
- The annual AAAS Communicating Science Seminar.
Check Your Scholarly Association
Many societies are now sponsoring trainings and fellowships related to science communication. Here are just a few examples of ongoing or already offered programs:
- American Geophysical Union (AGU), Sharing Science Program: webinars, events, opportunities to communicate
- American Institute for Biological Sciences (AIBS) Communications Bootcamp for Scientists
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Public Relations & Governmental Relations “Universities”
- Ecological Society of America, Communication & Engagement Section
- Geological Society of America (GSA), Science Communication Fellowship
- Materials Research Society, Science Writing Workshops
- Polar ICE, Scientist Communication Workshops
Seek Funding, Support and Recognition
- The AAAS Leshner Leadership Program — Fellows receive a week of intensive training before collaborating on a significant project (applications in August)
- The AAAS Mass Media Fellowship places students in media organizations over the summer
- Scientist Sentinels: Civic Engagement and Leadership Program at the great training organization, COMPASS, is long-term, community-building program focused on civic engagement.
- The Wilberforce Fellowship prepares conservation scientists to exercise leadership in land management decisionmaking.
- iBiology Young Scientist competition — winners receive an honorarium and a workshop, ending by producing a half hour video talk. For PHD students and postdocs; deadline in December.
- AAAS Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science and AAAS Award for Public Engagement with Science recognize outstanding achievement
- Keck Communication Award for Excellence In Reporting Science, Engineering and Medicine for completed projects
Contact us for mentoring if we can help you apply!