When Science Speaks

What would it look like for colleges and universities to invest in and begin creating community-based learning opportunities? Academics isolated in their “ivory tower” may be a stereotype, but, a lack of connection to communities outside of academia is a real dynamic that exists. Here to provide insight and expertise into the high-quality work of community-based learning is Johns Hopkins’ Gia Grier McGinnis.

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase, "Storytelling in science?" Does it conjure images of scientists gathered around a campfire taking turns telling stories? Probably not, but the role of storytelling in science is a relevant topic to explore. Bringing her passion for both the entertainment sector and science, Sara ElShafie joins the podcast to talk about storytelling in science.

Sara works at the intersection of art and science, with one foot in academia/museums and the other in the entertainment industry. She is interested in all aspects of public engagement with science, especially through the museum and online platforms.

Sara has broad science communication experience as a trainer, instructor, project developer, science writer, and public speaker. She created a workshop series, Science Through Story, and she has run workshops at venues such as the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, NASA Ames, and Science World in Vancouver. Sara also consults on science storytelling and public outreach strategy, including projects for major theme parks, museums, and scientific institutions. She recently organized a symposium, "Science Through Narrative: Engaging Broad Audiences," at a major biology conference with speakers from the scientific community as well as arts and entertainment industries.

Sara received her Master's degree in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln and she is currently working toward her Doctor of Philosophy in Integrative Biology at the University of California, Berkeley.

What You'll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

• [1:05] Mark introduces his guest, Sara ElShafie.
• [3:00] Sara talks about the intersection of her interests in entertainment and science.
• [5:50] What led Sara to her work with science outreach?
• [9:30] Advice from Sara for those who want to get engaged with science policy, advocacy, outreach, or communication.
• [13:20] How scientists and artists both work to distil complexity.
• [18:20] Why is storytelling so powerful?
• [23:00] Science communication isn't only about delivering the facts.
• [26:00] Should scientists stay out of politics?
• [30:50] Sara talks about the first mammal to go extinct due to climate change.
• [33:30] What are Sara's professional goals?

Connect with Sara ElShafie

• Sara's website
• Sara on Twitter
• Sara on LinkedIn

Storytelling, science, and cutting through complexity

Unless you are in front of an extremely niche group, you've got to find a way to cut through the complexity of your subject matter to get your audience engaged. One of the best examples of speakers who regularly cut through complexity are the professionals who give TED Talks. At a TED Talk, you will often find speakers who have specific expertise, but their audience doesn't share that same specialized knowledge. TED Talk presenters have to navigate this disparity, not by dumbing down their content but by connecting their content to something almost everyone can find relevant.

We need more scientists who are willing to put in the work necessary to help bridge the gap between their specialized field of study and the general public. Most people don't think of science and storytelling as a natural pairing likely due to the common association of storytelling with fiction. With her work in science communication and her "Science Through Story" workshops, Sara ElShafie is hard at work on the front lines highlighting the value of storytelling in science.

How to get involved with science policy, advocacy, and communication

Now is the time to get involved, we've seen many reports both nationally and internationally that underscore the need for increased public awareness for topics like climate change. If you are ready to join in the effort to distil the complexity often associated with science communication and policy work, where is the best place to start?

According to Sara ElShafie, you don't need to go anywhere to get started with science policy, advocacy, or communication; you can start from where you are. Find a local or in-state conference on science communication, search for local workshops on topics that interest you. Don't let your lack of proximity to Washington D.C. or your lack of formal training limit your ability to get engaged. Heed Sara's advice and jump in where you can, we need more people who are invested in this crucial topic.

You can go further with Sara's fascinating perspective by listening to her full conversation with Mark and by visiting her website.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

• http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com
• https://bayerstrategic.com/
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic
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• On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV
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• On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase, “Storytelling in science?” Does it conjure images of scientists gathered around a campfire taking turns telling stories? Probably not, but the role of storytelling in science is a relevant topic to explore. Bringing her passion for both the entertainment sector and science, Sara ElShafie joins the podcast to talk about storytelling in science.

If you had to present your scientific work to a room full of non-experts, what would be your approach? Have you been in that scenario before? What strategies have you used to convey your data and findings to the uninitiated? Here to provide some excellent advice on this topic is Dr. Ross Beattie. After his presentation to DisrupTECH in July 2018, Ross was selected to participate in the Entrepreneurial Fellowship Program. Before his selection, Ross worked to gain support for the Emerging Leaders in Science and Society (ELISS) program among graduate students across the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill. Through a grassroots campaign, they won the right to have the ELISS program come to UNC. Once the program was awarded to UNC, Ross was one of three graduate students who built support for the program within the institution, acquired funding support from the university, and helped orchestrate the recruiting of the applicants and application review. Ross received his Doctor of Philosophy in Inorganic Chemistry from UNC in 2016 and his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Kalamazoo College in 2011. Ross currently studies as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

What You'll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

• [1:05] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Ross Beattie.
• [5:45] Why developing science communication skills is so crucial.
• [7:20] What drew Ross to his work with science policy?
• [11:15] How to communicate your work to non-experts.
• [15:00] Should scientists get involved with politics?
• [17:15] How can participating in professional societies assist with science policy work?
• [19:40] Ross talks about his experience with the Entrepreneurial Fellowship Program at the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
• [23:50] What does Ross want to do with the next step in his career?

Connect with Ross Beattie

• Dr. Ross Beattie on LinkedIn

Resources & People Mentioned

• Los Alamos National Laboratory
• Science Policy Advocacy Group
• American Association for the Advancement of Science
• American Chemical Society
• Dr. Jaqueline Kiplinger on LinkedIn
• National Postdoctoral Association
• University of North Carolina - Training Initiatives in Biomedical & Biological Sciences

Communicating scientific work to non-experts

When was the last time you had to explain your scientific work to a non-expert? Believe it or not, many scientists and postdocs find themselves so embedded in their peer and academic circles that they can go considerable lengths of time without having to describe their work to non-experts. If you had to explain your work to an audience of non-experts right now, do you think you would succeed? Would your audience be able to walk away with a basic understanding of what you covered? If you find yourself struggling to image that scenario going well, you aren't alone. Thankfully, Ross Beattie took the time to explain two practical approaches that researchers like you can use to communicate your scientific work to a non-expert audience.

What does grandma have to do with it?

The first approach for communicating your scientific work to non-experts is called the "grandma test." Call up your grandma or someone close to that demographic in your family and try to tell them about the work you are doing in the lab and why it matters. If they can't understand you, it's time to dig deeper and get to the heart of why your research matters and how it impacts the public. Once you can get that core message across to your grandma, you are headed in the right direction. The second approach that you can use to communicate your scientific work is practice. While not as exciting as the grandma test, practice does, in many cases, make perfect. Yes, you'll be uncomfortable, and you'll probably put your foot in your mouth or see eyes glaze over, but you'll learn and adapt from what you encounter. Don't give up or throw in the towel just because you weren't able to connect with your first audience, learn from that encounter and make the next one better. In his experience, Ross has found that with each meeting he has or the talks he delivers, it only bolsters his confidence and his ability to communicate, especially with non-expert audiences. To hear more of Ross' helpful insights on the topic of science communication and other subjects, make sure to listen to his full conversation with Mark on this episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

• http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com
• https://bayerstrategic.com/
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329
• On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/
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Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

If you had to present your scientific work to a room full of non-experts, what would be your approach? Have you been in that scenario before? What strategies have you used to convey your data and findings to the uninitiated? Here to provide some excellent advice on this topic is Dr. Ross Beattie.

In the early 2010s, there were a number of reports from different national organizations that highlighted the need to broaden training for PhDs and postdocs. Grad students and trainees needed to be prepared for a wider spectrum of careers beyond academia. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) responded to this need by funding 17 programs around the country to test approaches for tackling this challenge. How did their efforts pay off? Was the return worth the investment of those funds? Here to talk about their NIH funded program at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) is Dr. David Fruman and Dr. Harinder Singh.

David is a Professor at UCI where he has been a faculty member since 2000. His research interest is signal transduction in lymphocytes, with an emphasis on targeted therapies for blood cancer and immune diseases. He previously served as Associate Director of the UCI Institute for Immunology and is currently the Associate Director of the UCI Cancer Research Institute. He is also co-leader of the Systems, Pathways and Targets program of the UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. He is currently the Director of the Graduate Professional Success (GPS) BIOMED program, supported by an NIH Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training (BEST) grant, which enhances the professional development of UCI graduate students and postdoc fellows in the biomedical sciences.

Harinder is the Associate Director of the GPS-BIOMED program at UCI. An academic coordinator with a PhD in cardiovascular biology and background in biomedical sciences, Harinder has multiple years of working experience in academia and science-based non-profit organizations. Harinder works at the local and national level providing better career development training mechanisms and avenues for junior researchers by connecting them to the best available resources. His leadership roles at multiple non-profit organizations have helped bring science and society together by building a close-knit community of science professionals.

What You'll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

• [1:10] Mark introduces his guests, Dr. David Fruman and Dr. Harinder Singh.
• [3:15] David talks about his work with the NIH BEST program.
• [8:00] Does the public still place their trust in scientists?
• [14:00] What are the plans to continue funding GPS-BIOMED after the NIH grant provisions have ended in September 2019?
• [16:30] Advice for postdocs who are planning their career path.
• [20:00] Harinder talks about the value of honing science communication and other professional development skills.
• [24:20] Why there is a high rate of depression in academia.
• [25:45] Serving the broadest possible audience at the minimum possible cost.

Connect with Dr. David Fruman and Dr. Harinder Singh

• Dr. David Fruman on LinkedIn
• Dr. Harinder Singh on LinkedIn

Resources & People Mentioned

• The Loh Down on Science: NPR Podcast
• Activate to Captivate
• Graduate Professional Success in Biomedical Sciences (GPS-BIOMED)
• UC Irvine's Public Policy Prep (P3) Program funded by Burroughs Welcome Fund
• Elevator Pitch Workshop series and competition
• Science Communication Skills Course

Background Information about "Professional Success in Biomedical Sciences (GPS-BIOMED) Website link: https://gps.bio.uci.edu GPS-BIOMED is an NIH-funded program for UCI graduate students and postdocs in the biomedical sciences, and part of the campus-wide UCI-GPS (UC Irvine Graduate Professional Success) initiative. We aim to better prepare our scientists for a variety of careers within the biomedical research workforce, and empower them to become not only skilled researchers but also polished professionals. As members of the NIH-BEST Consortium, we work to create, identify and support innovative approaches to broaden graduate and postdoctoral training. Our program is designed to meet the following goals: Increase awareness and interest in diverse careers outside of academic research (EXPLORE). Improve communication and other skills needed to pursue academic and non-academic career paths (TRAIN).

Provide hands-on experience through on-campus and external internships (EXPERIENCE). Build networks that allow our members to prepare for and transition to diverse careers (TRANSITION).

UC Irvine's Public Policy Prep (P3) Program funded by Burroughs Welcome Fund : Website link: https://gps.bio.uci.edu/uci-public-policy-prep/

UCI Public Policy Prep (P3), organized and funded by GPS-BIOMED, is designed to meet this need. We are thrilled to unveil our newest program that will incorporate: public policy seminars, communication workshops, trainee working groups led by local advocacy groups or campus partners, and visits to Sacramento & Washington D.C.

P3 GOALS: Increase knowledge of & experience with public policy processes Increase knowledge of & experience with advocacy related to science policy Develop the ability of trainees to communicate effectively with members in the policy arena Unique Programming: 1. Elevator Pitch Workshop series and competition - https://gps.bio.uci.edu/program-elements/train/elevator-pitch-series/ GPS-BIOMED Elevator Pitch Competition & Effective Communications Certificate Program led by Bri McWhorter. Bri is the founder of Activate to Captivate, where she teaches communication techniques from an actor's point of view. She is a speech coach for our elevator pitch competition and has worked with GPS-BIOMED leadership to create a new certificate program: Effective Communications. The program covers presentation fundamentals including how to overcome nerves, make a presentation active rather than passive, utilize vocal variety and command a room. Check out videos from 4th Annual Elevator Pitch Competition here. 2. Science Communication Skills Course - https://gps.bio.uci.edu/science-communication-skills/ Science Communication Skills (Phy Sci 220) Offered each Winter Quarter and taught by Sandra Tsing Loh, well-known author, actress and host of the NPR podcast: Loh Down on Science. Grad students and postdocs are taught how to engage and inform the audience in a few words, avoid jargon, and project in a professional manner. The course culminates in TED-style talks performed by each participant! Check out our TED-style talks here: GPS-BIOMED on YouTube!

Are there more diverse career paths for PhDs and postdocs?

When those reports came out several years ago detailing a lack of training for PhDs and postdocs pursuing non-academic jobs, NIH went to work funding programs all over the country through its BEST grants. Years later, many of those programs are shifting gears as the grant funds are no longer available. David and Harinder were kind enough to talk about UCI's efforts to secure the programs they've built so training can continue for researchers seeking postdoc jobs.

David reports that every site that received NIH BEST funding to create these PhD and postdoc training programs have decided to continue the programs even though the NIH funding has ended. These universities, like UCI, have discovered the unique advantage that PhD and postdoc focused programs give them as an intuition to broaden their influence and impact. In short, yes, there are more diverse career paths for postdocs than ever before and the NIH BEST efforts have been well worth the investment.

The critical role of science communication and professional development

As many PhDs. and postdocs search for jobs, according to David, one of the best steps they can take is to focus on honing their skill set, including science communication. Many PhDs and postdocs can become so wrapped up in their professional and academic circles that they fail to develop broader skills that will help them later on in their career.

David and Harinder both point to helpful programs like UCI GPS-BIOMED's Annual Elevator Pitch Workshop and Competition that encourages students and postdocs to hone their communication skills. Additional resources include, Activate to Captivate, a communications company that focuses on empowering individuals to activate their communication skills, and NPR's The Loh Down on Science podcast.

Make sure to listen to Mark's full conversation with David and Harinder on this engaging episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

• http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com
• https://bayerstrategic.com/
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329
• On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/
• On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Grad students and trainees needed to be prepared for a wider spectrum of careers beyond academia. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) responded to this need by funding 17 programs around the country to test approaches for tackling this challenge. How did their efforts pay off? Was the return worth the investment of those funds? Here to talk about their NIH funded program at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) is Dr. David Fruman and Dr. Harinder Singh.

What recent changes have altered the landscape for postdocs? Are there more opportunities out there or fewer? What are universities and professional associations doing to help postdocs navigate these changes? Dr. Chris Smith joins the podcast to shed light on this critical topic.

Chris's work focuses on training a scientific and biomedical workforce that is flexible and well-prepared to take on the challenges of the 21st Century. He has over ten years of experience conducting neuroscience research investigating the role of dopamine in reward, valuation, and decision making processes in the human brain.

Chris currently serves as the Postdoctoral Affairs Program Manager at North Carolina State University. He holds a BS in Neuroscience from Furman University and a Ph.D. in Neurobiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

What You'll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

• [0:45] Mark introduces his guest, Dr. Chris Smith.
• [3:00] Chris talks about his childhood and what led him to his career path.
• [6:50] How did Chris get involved with postdoc affairs?
• [11:40] The postdoc landscape is changing, are universities adapting?
• [17:50] What is Accelerate to Industry?
• [23:45] Be flexible and explore as many opportunities as possible.
• [27:30] Chris's professional goal for 2019.

Connect with Chris Smith

• Chris on LinkedIn

Resources & People Mentioned

• Accelerate to Industry A2i
• A2i Partner Summer Institute Interest Form
• Academic Partners website
• Vanderbilt's BRET program
• Vanderbilt BRET alumni career outcomes
• Vanderbilt's Beyond the Lab
• NIH Best Consortium
• BEST Consortium Paper
• The POSTDOCket
• National Postdoctoral Association

The changing postdoc landscape.

As a postdoc, how much were you exposed to alternative career pathways beyond typical roles in academia? Did your university set you up for success in this new postdoc landscape or have you found it challenging to find a good route? According to Chris Smith, the landscape for postdocs has changed significantly over the last ten years and many universities and associations have been slow to adapt.

Thankfully, some institutions like Vanderbilt and their Biomedical Research Education and Training (BRET) program are leading the way by making more data available for postdocs as they explore career options. Chris also highlights the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and their Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training (BEST) program as a practical solution addressing this growing need.

Be flexible and seize opportunities that come your way.

As the economy continues to shift and evolve over the next decade, are you prepared to make any necessary pivots in your career? Or do you feel secure that your current or ideal career path will be unphased by shifts in the economy and academia? Leaders in the postdoc field encourage researchers to expand their skill set at any opportunity they get so they'll be adequately prepared for an uncertain future.

In his conversation with Mark, Chris points to a recent paper published by the BEST group and the Public Library of Science (PLOS One) revealing that faculty wants their students to explore possibilities outside of academia. Chris also encourages postdocs to be flexible as they navigate their careers, he says that they should look for opportunities to develop transferable skills like writing on a wide range of topics.

To get the full scope of Chris' informative conversation with Mark, make sure to listen to this episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

• http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com
• https://bayerstrategic.com/
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329
• On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/
• On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17

Subscribe to When Science Speaks on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

What recent changes have altered the landscape for postdocs? Are there more opportunities out there or fewer? What are universities and professional associations doing to help postdocs navigate these changes? Dr. Chris Smith joins the podcast to shed light on this critical topic.

Does your organization value the role of their introverts in the workplace? Are you an introvert who has struggled to find your voice? Do you want to help your workplace become more equitable for introverts? Here to help us understand introverts and how we can best empower them is Dr. Jennifer Kahnweiler.

Jennifer is an author and global speaker hailed as a "champion for introverts." Her bestselling books, "The Introverted Leader," "Quiet Influence," and "The Genius of Opposites" have been translated into sixteen languages and help introverts throughout the world expand their leadership capacity.

Jennifer has been invited to deliver keynote speeches and seminars in Australia, Vietnam, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, and Paraguay. She has also been featured in Fortune, Forbes, Time Magazine, The New York Times, The Huffington Post, and The Wall Street Journal.

What You'll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

• [0:45] Mark introduces his guest, Jennifer Kahnweiler.
• [2:50] You might be an introvert if…
• [6:15] What went into the second edition of Jennifer's book, "The Introverted Leader?"
• [9:40] Jennifer talks about the value of emotional intelligence.
• [12:30] Three ways to engage in international collaborations and be more effective.
• [17:00] How introversion shows up differently in men and women.
• [23:00] Elevating the voices of introverts.
• [27:30] Common challenges for introverts and how to address them.
• [35:45] How social media can help introverts expand their brand.

Connect with Dr. Jennifer Kahnweiler

• The Introverted Leader
• Jennifer's website
• Jennifer on Twitter
• Jennifer on LinkedIn

Resources & People Mentioned

• Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ

Key characteristics of introverts.

Chances are you are an introvert or someone in your family is one. We can't all be the life of the party and everyone's best friend. If you don't understand how introverts operate, here is a brief rundown of some of their characteristics, keep in mind that introversion and extroversion exist on a spectrum.

You might be an introvert if…

• You have to get away and get alone to recharge after spending time with people.
• You are energized by solitude, and you must have breaks alone.
• You are reserved, and you only express your thoughts after thinking about them.
• You are private at first and then slowly open up as you get to know someone.
• You have a low-key facial expression.
• You are humble and don't like to boast about your achievements.

Throughout their conversation, Mark and Jennifer continue to elaborate on these characteristics as they expand their discussion on introversion. You can also further your education on introverts in the workplace by reading Jennifer's book, "The Introverted Leader."

Creating space for introverts in the workplace.

Now that you have an idea of how introverts show up in the workplace, it's time to consider what we can do in both professional and educational environments to encourage their contributions. According to Dr. Jennifer Kahnweiler, pausing during a meeting to make sure more introverted people have the chance to speak can be helpful, especially if it comes from a person in power.

We should also keep in mind the role that gender expectations and "norms" play when it comes to identifying and reacting to introversion. Unfortunately, it is expected that women in the workplace should be bubbly and inviting while men should be stoic and unemotional. These gender stereotypes and expectations can cause undue stress and unique challenges for introverts.

While it might not be easy, taking intentional steps to hear from our introverted colleagues will end up enriching both learning and working environments.

To hear more from Jennifer on how to create inviting spaces for introverts in the workplace, make sure to listen to her full conversation with Mark on this engaging episode of When Science Speaks.

Connect With Mark and When Science Speaks

• http://WhenScienceSpeaks.com
• https://bayerstrategic.com/
• On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayerStrategic
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bayer-Strategic-Consulting-206102993131329
• On YouTube: http://bit.ly/BSConTV
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayerstrategic/
• On Medium: https://medium.com/@markbayer17