Posts in: Blog
Policy Tips
Policy Engagement Beyond Capitol Hill
If I were to tell you that you can engage with policy makers to make sure that science is part of lawmaking, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? I would take a confident guess that you see yourself putting on a blazer and walking the halls of the Capitol in Washington, DC, meeting with staffers or, if you’re lucky, a congressional member.
Congress is ...
Tools & Resources
Communicating Risk: Hazard-Impact-Action
Risk communication is a vital skill for scientists, especially those working at the forefront of environmental and social issues like climate change and public health. But what makes risk communication effective in the first place?
Effective risk communication doesn’t just warn people about danger; it’s about helping people make decisions that protect what...
Reflections
Positive Framing in Risk Communication
One of the primary things we hear from scientists and technical experts is that they want their communication to have an impact. And, of course, impact is driven by action, whether it’s policymakers advancing new clean air regulations, a community securing their trash cans to prevent human-wildlife conflict, or a household creating a fire evacuation plan.
Bu...
Leadership in Action
How a Video of a Wolf Became a Global Story — and What It Reveals About Preparation, Purpose, and Partnerships
When Dr. Kyle Artelle and his team reviewed footage from a field camera and saw a wolf pulling crab traps out of the water with remarkable purpose and efficiency, they instantly recognized its significance. What they didn’t expect was that it would be picked up by a number of major outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Geographic, Th...
Announcements
COMPASS Welcomes Emily Patrolia as New Board Chair
We’re thrilled to announce that Emily Patrolia, Founder and CEO of ESP Advisors, has been elected to serve as the next Chair of the Board of Directors.
Emily founded ESP Advisors in 2020 to elevate ocean and environmental priorities, drawing on her extensive background across federal policymaking, strategic advocacy, and environmental science. Through her lead...
Reflections
Pathways for Change: Working Within, With, and Against Systems
In our work supporting change for the wellbeing of people and nature, we often face systems and practices that weren’t built for us or our goals — or in some cases, were actively designed to work against us. Like the walls of a building, these visible or invisible structures shape the paths we walk, the decisions we make, the resources we have access to, and, u...
Reflections
Transdisciplinary Research: Embedding Communication & Collaboration into the Full Research Cycle
Effective communication is reciprocal. It’s not just about getting your message across; it requires a back-and-forth between parties, where shared understanding and mutual commitments develop as both parties work towards a common goal. That kind of two-way communication is essential not just when research is ready to be shared, but from the very beginning o...
Preparing Science Leaders
Effective Risk Communication: Lessons from Wildfire Science
As climate change intensifies weather patterns, disrupts ecosystems, and endangers human health and infrastructure, the need for effective communication that supports informed action to prevent and respond to risk has never been greater. In response to this growing need, COMPASS and the Federation of American Scientists, in collaboration with Matt Wright of the Ame...
Announcements
Introducing the COMPASS mCDR Communications Leaders Cohort
COMPASS is thrilled to introduce our new COMPASS mCDR Communication Leaders cohort! This group of experts spans disciplines, sectors, geographies, and career stages. From biophysical and social scientists to practitioners in academia, government, nonprofits, and industry, they bring a rich diversity of perspectives essential to understanding the full picture of mar...
Tools & Resources
Spotting Jargon: 4 Types of Jargon to Avoid for Clearer Communication
As scientists and subject matter experts, we often rely on specialized language, or jargon, to communicate with precision and efficiency. And that’s a good thing — when we are communicating within our disciplines. But when we're communicating with people outside our field, that same language can become a barrier.
Research shows that when people don’t under...