Learn tools and strategies for incorporating story to communicate more strategically in this 3-hour interactive virtual workshop.
Stories are a powerful way to communicate. They can grab an audience’s attention and connect feelings to the ideas we’re sharing. Narrative is not only proven to increase engagement, comprehension, and retention, but has a unique ability to transform how audiences think about a topic, making people more receptive to new ideas and perspectives. But how do we find stories to support our communication goals? This 3-hour virtual workshop is an introduction to what makes a compelling science story, and techniques that can help you find the stories in your research or focus area. You’ll also have opportunities to practice and receive feedback as you begin to develop your own story during the workshop in small groups. Throughout the workshop, you will expand your understanding of the role of story in science communication and build the skills you’ll need to incorporate story into your communication strategy. This workshop builds on the COMPASS Message Box, but attending a previous Message Box session is not required. This workshop is for anyone who would like to strategically use elements of story to illustrate and illuminate key messages. By registering for this workshop, you are committing to active participation in the workshop, for the benefit of both yourself and the group. Please also plan to use a webcam whenever possible during discussion and breakout room portions of the workshop. Due to the progression of materials presented and the paired exercises, we cannot admit participants who are more than 15 minutes late.
Who could benefit from this workshop?
This workshop is open to anyone who would like to illustrate and illuminate key science messages using story. Given our mission at COMPASS, the majority of participants who have been involved with our workshops are professional researchers, scientists, and science users whose work focuses on the environment, and many of our examples draw from this work. However, this workshop is suitable for anyone seeking to make their communication efforts more strategic and relevant for their audience by incorporating story.
