Research event: Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science: The Intro (Plenary Session)

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Date/Time:Tuesday, 05 Feb 2019 from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Location:Memorial Union, Great Hall
Phone:515-294-3520
Channel:Research
Categories:Special events Training, development
Actions:Download iCal/vCal | Email Reminder
During his 11 years hosting the PBS television series "Scientific American Frontiers," Alan Alda realized that the conversational approach he took in interviewing scientists led to a surprisingly spontaneous and vivid presentation of their work. Using improvisational techniques he had learned in 50 years of acting on stage and on-screen, Alda devised The Alda Method(TM).

Since 2009, the Alda Center has used this training methodology to improve the communication skills of thousands of scientists and health professionals throughout the world.This interactive session introduces participants to general principles in how to craft short, clear, conversational statements -- intelligible to non-scientists -- about what you do and why it matters. The session consists of an interactive presentation and discussion on interpreting technical material using examples and analogies to illuminate unfamiliar concepts to your audience. The plenary will address problems and solutions in public interactions as well as peer-to-peer communication. Participants will be actively engaged in improvisation exercises and will practice clarity in speaking to non-scientists about their work.

Target audience: Faculty, staff, postdoctoral associates and students who want to develop skills that will enable them to effectively and successfully communicate about their research and scholarship with those outside their field.

Register here.