Good #SciComm Starts on Campus
Here's your first chance to collaborate with A\J and dive deeply into the science being done right at Trent.
I had a great time at Trent last week guest lecturing with students from ERST 3501H: Environment and Communication. We talked about what makes environmental communication unique, how A\J approaches storytelling and the components of a strong story (hint: it’s all about people and the narratives they create.)
Because storytelling is at the heart of science. In each academic paper they publish, researchers are telling the story of their hypotheses, methods, research, experiments and results.
And while these peer-reviewed papers don’t always read like stories you or I can easily understand, at minimum they have the potential to become engaging science communication (or #SciComm if you’re looking for examples on Twitter) – capable of helping the general public understand one small corner of the scientific world a little better.
They just need an effective communicator to make it happen! That’s where you (and A\J) come in.
« Putting research at Trent in the limelight »
In celebration of the partnership A\J has formed with Trent University and Fleming College, we’d like to highlight some of the amazing multi-disciplinary research being conducted by faculty in numerous departments.
As such, we’re offering GREEN\house students the opportunity to profile a Trent U faculty member – and we’ll publish the resulting #SciComm at alternativesjournal.ca. Our interests are as broad as the research your professors are making happen. So whether it’s biology, chemistry, soil management, global environmental policy, sustainable agriculture – you name it, we’re interested. And so are our readers!
If you’re interested, give some thought to your instructors and those whose work you’re most interested in and go talk to them. Tell them what you’re curious about and find a time to talk about their research outside the classroom. We’re only looking for 500-700 words per article, but the work, and it’s social importance, should be clear.
Don’t know what to ask? Here’s some questions to get you started:
What are your research interests?
How did you first become curious about your area of expertise?
What’s the most fascinating thing about your work?
What are the broader applications of your research?
Is there anyone who disagrees with your analysis? If so, why?
Email me at editorial@alternativesjournal.ca and let me know if you’re interested in taking this assignment on and who you plan to interview. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about how best to write the mini-profile up or tips for getting the most out of your interview.
Happy #SciComm!
Andrew and the GREEN\house team