Posts in: Tools & Resources

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...

One of the primary things that COMPASS staff hear from scientists and technical experts is that they want their communication efforts, in whatever form or medium, 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 confli...

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...

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...

Prepping for meetings is an important step in having a constructive conversation, especially when your audience has little time or knowledge of your field of study. One item that you can prep to help your information stick, even after the meeting is over, is a one-pager. A great one-pager catches your audience’s attention, starts a conversation, and acts as ...

When Conflict Shows Up What do you do when conflict crops up? Maybe you’re in a meeting making a decision, and things get heated. Or maybe you’re talking with a colleague or neighbor and all of sudden, they say something you deeply disagree with. Or perhaps it’s the classic holiday dinner example, where everyone avoids certain topics, so that you can all g...