GET FOUND IN GOOGLE
8-week Course, 1-hr/wk (September-October 2020) - Stay tuned for times and dates.
Course Description
You’ve got your article, blog, or website ready to post. But will anyone see it after you publish? This course will teach you how to use search engine data to expand the reach of your online science communication. You’ll learn basic search engine optimization skills (keyword research, on-page keyword use, and hyperlinking). With these skills, you will be able to find out what language the public uses when searching on science questions and how to use that language in your writing to signal to search engine algorithms to return your article when the public does these searches. We will also cover how to link to other websites in your online writing to make sure good science is at the top of those search results, how and why to build links to your articles and websites, and why these skills are so important to science communication.
Course Description
You’ve got your article, blog, or website ready to post. But will anyone see it after you publish? This course will teach you how to use search engine data to expand the reach of your online science communication. You’ll learn basic search engine optimization skills (keyword research, on-page keyword use, and hyperlinking). With these skills, you will be able to find out what language the public uses when searching on science questions and how to use that language in your writing to signal to search engine algorithms to return your article when the public does these searches. We will also cover how to link to other websites in your online writing to make sure good science is at the top of those search results, how and why to build links to your articles and websites, and why these skills are so important to science communication.
Instructor
This course will be run by Dr. Effie Greathouse. Dr. Greathouse holds a B.S. in wildlife, fish, and conservation biology from the University of California, Davis and a Ph.D. in ecology from the University of Georgia. She is currently the director of Digital Resources for Community and Science
This course will be run by Dr. Effie Greathouse. Dr. Greathouse holds a B.S. in wildlife, fish, and conservation biology from the University of California, Davis and a Ph.D. in ecology from the University of Georgia. She is currently the director of Digital Resources for Community and Science
FINDING AND SELLING SCIENCE STORIES
6-week Course, 1-hr/wk (June-July 2020) - Stay tuned for times and dates.
Course Description
What's newsworthy science? How do I find story ideas? Will anyone pay me? Learn the ins and outs of science journalism from a scientist-turned-writer. We'll focus on finding headline-worthy research, crafting pitches to editors, and the finances of freelance science journalism. You'll hone your own pitch about a recently published study.
Course Description
What's newsworthy science? How do I find story ideas? Will anyone pay me? Learn the ins and outs of science journalism from a scientist-turned-writer. We'll focus on finding headline-worthy research, crafting pitches to editors, and the finances of freelance science journalism. You'll hone your own pitch about a recently published study.
Instructor
Katherine Kornei is a freelance science writer based in Portland, Oregon. She regularly writes for Science, Eos, and The New York Times. Katherine has reported stories from the United States and Asia, and she has received science journalism fellowships from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the European Geosciences Union. Katherine holds a B.S. in astrophysics from Yale University and an M.S. and Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Katherine Kornei is a freelance science writer based in Portland, Oregon. She regularly writes for Science, Eos, and The New York Times. Katherine has reported stories from the United States and Asia, and she has received science journalism fellowships from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the European Geosciences Union. Katherine holds a B.S. in astrophysics from Yale University and an M.S. and Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of California, Los Angeles.
MEDIA TRAINING FOR SCIENTISTS
4-hr Short Course
Course Description
The media training workshop is a hands on class where participants will get to experience a bit of the anxiety it feels to be on TV. For this class, the focus is on how to prepare for a media interview and then successfully execute it. The key parts of this course will address:
Course Description
The media training workshop is a hands on class where participants will get to experience a bit of the anxiety it feels to be on TV. For this class, the focus is on how to prepare for a media interview and then successfully execute it. The key parts of this course will address:
- Why effective communication matters
- How to craft a clear message
- Mock interviews
Instructor
Steven Sobieszczyk is a scientist, storyteller, and dad. Besides his research, Sobie’s passion is to help others communicate better, regardless of their background or interests. Due to his insatiable curiosity he has developed a broad expertise, including being a teacher, spokesperson, author, web developer, videographer, and artist. He is also a co-founder and Vice President of Content at ScienceTalk.org.
Steven Sobieszczyk is a scientist, storyteller, and dad. Besides his research, Sobie’s passion is to help others communicate better, regardless of their background or interests. Due to his insatiable curiosity he has developed a broad expertise, including being a teacher, spokesperson, author, web developer, videographer, and artist. He is also a co-founder and Vice President of Content at ScienceTalk.org.
ADVICE FOR TALKING SCIENCE TO NORMAL PEOPLE
1-hr Lecture
Lecture Description
Learning about effective communication is easy. Actually following through and communicating effectively...well, not so much. Scientists are brilliant and attentive people but they seem to stumble on the simple nuances of how most people talk day-to-day. But bringing science to the masses doesn't need to be discouraging or devolve to "dumbing down your research." It's about being wise. Being selective. It's about putting yourself in their shoes. Be clear, concise, and a bit irreverent. Now sit back and enjoy, here's some simple advice for talking science to normal people. The key parts of this course will address:
Lecture Description
Learning about effective communication is easy. Actually following through and communicating effectively...well, not so much. Scientists are brilliant and attentive people but they seem to stumble on the simple nuances of how most people talk day-to-day. But bringing science to the masses doesn't need to be discouraging or devolve to "dumbing down your research." It's about being wise. Being selective. It's about putting yourself in their shoes. Be clear, concise, and a bit irreverent. Now sit back and enjoy, here's some simple advice for talking science to normal people. The key parts of this course will address:
- Considerations for all communication products
- Adjust talk for the right audience
- What goes into a presentation
- Watch your language (i.e., no jargon)
- The data doesn't "show" anything, lead them to the conclusions
- Leave audience wanting more
Instructor
Steven Sobieszczyk is a scientist, storyteller, and dad. Besides his research, Sobie’s passion is to help others communicate better, regardless of their background or interests. Due to his insatiable curiosity he has developed a broad expertise, including being a teacher, spokesperson, author, web developer, videographer, and artist. He is also a co-founder and Vice President of Content at ScienceTalk.org.
Steven Sobieszczyk is a scientist, storyteller, and dad. Besides his research, Sobie’s passion is to help others communicate better, regardless of their background or interests. Due to his insatiable curiosity he has developed a broad expertise, including being a teacher, spokesperson, author, web developer, videographer, and artist. He is also a co-founder and Vice President of Content at ScienceTalk.org.
