how to explain your

to non-scientists

Why bother?funding sources

responsibility to stakeholders

involving “consumers”

career opportunitiescorrect misconceptions

outreachdeclining science literacy

…and it pays! (Bonus resources)• Soc

iety for Applied Microbiology Communications Award

• EuroStemCell Communications Award• CIHR's Health Research Communication A

ward 

• Grand Challenges • PhD Comics' 2 Minute Thesis contest

Who are these non-scientists?funderspotential collaborators

future in-laws

media

random people you meet at a party

advocacy groups

policymakersadministrators

How not to do it:

Here is a more effective way.["rock star physicist" Brian Cox's brilliant explanation of the Higgs Boson]

Ways to get your idea across

metaphor / simileinfographicelevator pitch

get creative: dance, rap, mime

Metaphor / simileThe spinal cord is like a telephone cable; when it’s cut, the signals can no longer get through. I’m researching tiny particles that can act like repairmen to make new connections.

Infographics (& other artwork)

Infographic: bonus resourceGreat data visualization tutorials & examples: FlowingData.com

Elevator pitchImagine that you’re taking an elevator up 12 floors with the director of a major funding agency . . .[video of an award-winning pitch]

Elevator pitch: bonus resourceGreat article in Nature Jobs on scientific elevator pitches

Getting creative

Getting creative: bonus resourcesDance your PhD The TEDx Dance Your PhD talkThe european stem cell collaboration, eurostemcell, is holding a poetry and rap competition

Tips:Tell your science like a (very short) story

Be persuasive

Choose the audience’s medium

Remember the “inciting incident”

Be nerdy

Now it’s your turn

Show your work:• 2 minute video or song• a series of 140 word tweets• One drawing/image/infographic/cartoon• Submissions earn $5 gift card, entered

to win a $50 iTunes or Amazon gift card

More Resources• SciFund Challenge Outreach Classes • The Anti-vaccine disease: rant or reason • Advocating for your research: (This is a

video of Brian Cox that lays out the case for ongoing funding for discovery: an example of how communication to non-scientists is important

• Don’t hesitate to contact Jocelyn or Cheryl any time for help: it’s the part of our jobs we like the best!)

thank you