Communicating Science at the 2009 NSF EPSoR Annual Conference
In early October, over one hundred researchers and communications professionals from around the state convened at the Doubletree Hotel in Little Rock for a series of special workshops focused on “communicating science.”
The workshop, being held in conjunction with the concurrent 2009 Arkansas NSF EPSCoR Annual Conference and the Arkansas Association of Public Universities (AAPU) Conference, was supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of EPSCoR, the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs (OLPA) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
NSF outreach resources provided travel support to bring these experienced communications professionals, OLPA staff and AAAS facilitators to Arkansas to conduct the workshop. This was the first time that this workshop has been presented in the Southern states. The workshop format featured combined general sessions for both researchers and communications officers, as well as specialized breakout sessions for the two professional groups.
National Science Foundation’s Jeff Nesbit, Director of the OLPA, talked about the changing media landscape, and building new audiences from viral media distribution 
on the internet. He stressed using sites like Facebook and Twitter as vital tools to spread science stories in the media. Dana Topousis, Head of Media and Public Affairs for the NSF, also showed how new web-based platforms, like Science Nation and Science 360, can be effective syndication style delivery tools when spreading a message through cyberspace.
Denise Graveline, President of the Washington DC consulting firm don’t get caught, (seen right) taught researchers how to communicate their discoveries in practical language that the general public can understand. In a session designed to teach researchers how to communicate their ideas in a media interview format, Graveline demonstrated how researchers can highlight the benefits of their discoveries in a way that adds perceived value and guarantees continued support. Graveline used interactive “guinea pig” models to practice research message delivery and public talks, to use gestures, and to use language to create emphasis.
Tiffany Lohwater, Public Engagement Manager for the AAAS, led a series of separate breakout sessions targeting public information officers (PIOs). During these sessions, she used group exchange methods and worked with PIOs on ways to identify and tailor messages for specific audiences. PIOs, who work with these research professionals, had an opportunity to brainstorm new ways of “getting the message out.”
Reflecting on the positive feedback he received from attendees, Nesbit was optimistic about the future of communicating science in Arkansas. "I think the PI / PIO conference in Little Rock was a great success," said Nesbit, "The researchers and communications professionals I met there were enthusiastic, receptive and insightful in their feedback. I am confident that once they return to their campuses, together we will implement effective communications strategies and a variety of new mechanisms to tell the stories of great science in this region."
Topousis(seen left) sees both immediate and long term benefits of the training. “The groups that are here today will be able to go back to their campuses and really use these skills to inspire that next generation of Americans who are going to pursue a career in science in engineering. That, of course, translates into a stronger economy because universities are able to preserve and even create jobs within their departments.”
