Science Communication Workshop Series builds skills with impact

The Biggio Center's Science Communication Workshop Series gives faculty and researchers practical tools to share their work with clarity, creativity and impact. Adapted from a popular course by Karen McNeal, Molette endowed professor and the director of the Geocogniton and Geoscience Education Research Lab for the College of Sciences and Mathematics, the series includes seven workshops led by faculty from multiple disciplines including industry scientists and experts in writing, design and communication. Each session is designed to help participants make complex ideas approachable, foster dialogue and build trust between science and society.

“Strong science communication helps research travel beyond journals into the places where it can shape decisions, policies and everyday understanding,” said Lindsay Doukopoulos, associate director of the Biggio Center. “When scientists can explain why their work matters, the impact of that work grows.”

Doukopoulos emphasized that effective communication is also key to fostering trust between science and society. “Clear and compelling communication builds trust by making complexity approachable without oversimplifying it,” she said. “Especially around contested topics, good science communication invites dialogue rather than defensiveness.”

Making the connection between science and society visible and accountable is a priority for Doukopoulos and the workshop series. “Science and society are already deeply connected,” she explained. “Communication is what makes that relationship reciprocal rather than distant or abstract.”

Beyond its impact on public understanding, the workshop series highlights the professional value of strong communication skills. These skills open doors to interdisciplinary collaborations, public-facing grants and partnerships that prioritize clarity, ethics and relevance. The series treats communication as a scholarly and ethical practice, not an add-on, and gives participants real-time opportunities to practice skills across formats in a collaborative learning community.

The series is ongoing, with new sessions offered throughout the year. Learn more and register for upcoming Science Communication Workshops on the Biggio Center events page.