Communicating with Media Workshop for Conservation and Ecology Experts
COMPASS is excited to announce a workshop in conjunction with the 2024 North American Congress for Conservation Biology. Designed for scientists and technical experts working in the conservation biology and ecology spaces, this workshop will help participants share their work and insights in clear, relevant terms. Grounded in the latest research on science communication, COMPASS workshops are designed to help participants find the relevance of their science for the audiences they most want to reach—journalists, policymakers, the public, and even other scientists. In this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to engage with top-notch science media experts (journalists, filmmakers, etc.) who will share insights on how scientists can become excellent communicators and provide 1:1 feedback on participants’ communication messages.
Please see below for more information about the workshop.
Eligibility & Application
We encourage technical experts and researchers working on, or whose work has relevance to conservation across diverse disciplines including, but not limited to, the fields of life sciences, social science, cross-boundary collaboration and co-management to apply.
Workshop space is limited, complete this Google form to express your interest! We will review applications on a rolling basis, and will notify participants of acceptance by the end of April 26, 2024. Prior to the workshop, selected participants will be expected to complete a survey to help COMPASS better understand their goals and backgrounds, and design the workshop accordingly to address said goals.
In addition, participants will be expected to do some pre-workshop homework to familiarize themselves with the Message Box, COMPASS’ signature tool for distilling a message so that it resonates with a specific audience.
COMPASS has limited travel funding available—please see the Google form for more information!
For questions, please contact Alex Griffith at alex.griffith@compassscicomm.org.
Session Details
Communicating with Media — June 23, 2024 at the University of British Columbia’s Point Grey Campus (Vancouver), in conjunction with 2024 NACCB
In this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to get real-time feedback from media experts ( journalists, filmmakers, etc.) in order to further refine their messages for audiences ranging from local to national and beyond. Workshop participants will also learn from these experts about how scientists can share the stories coming out of their research in compelling, clear ways and will participate in a Q&A session. The workshop will also serve as a community-building opportunity for those working in the conservation biology space.
The workshop will last all day with breakfast and lunch, followed by a brief reception.
About COMPASS
Since 1999, COMPASS has supported over 10,000 scientists to communicate about their work and engage beyond lab and field. We’ve connected them with journalists, policymakers, community leaders, and beyond, when and where it matters, ensuring science has a seat at the table. COMPASS pairs fundamental skill building with strategies and connections to drive impact. Working with us, you’ll gain communication tools you can use right away and the confidence to speak about your work.