Communicating Your Science to the Public

CCTSI Workshop Series

Upcoming Session Dates:
Workshop Session #1: November 4, 2025, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Workshop Session #2: November 11, 2025, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Workshop Session #3: November 18, 2025, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

You've spent countless hours mastering the intricate language of your field, using it to test theories, write papers, draft grants, chat with your colleagues and speak at conferences. 

But in your personal life, when you try to share the fascinating details of your work with your neighbor, do his eyes start to glaze over? And when you excitedly tell your grandmother about the latest exciting advances in your lab, does she look a bit lost or quickly change the topic? If so, you may want to sign up for the CCTSI workshop series Communicating Your Science to the Public.

At the CCTSI, we believe that one of the best ways to increase support for science is to empower researchers with the skills to communicate what it is they do and why it is important—to a variety of non-science audiences.  

This workshop series provides an overview of why and how to engage the public—everyone from reporters to your neighbor—and even with the world on social media. To get the most out of each interactive workshop session, completing the assigned prep work is essential. Before each of the three workshop sessions, you'll engage with brief readings and one or two short videos designed to lay the foundation for discussion and activities. On the final day of the workshop, you will share a one-minute video showcasing the science communication skills you've developed throughout the sessions. This is your opportunity to apply what you've learned, demonstrate your growth, and share your voice in a creative and impactful way.

The course is co-led by immunologist, award-winning teacher and expert science communicator Aimee Bernard, PhD, along with veteran strategic communicator and science writer Wendy Meyer, MA. 

Audience:

Faculty, Students/Trainees, Research Service Professionals

Expectations:

The workshop series is held on Zoom and is highly interactive. The expectation is that you, the participant, will keep your camera on, practice speaking in small groups, and provide verbal feedback to peers. Because each workshop builds on the prior week's workshop, participants are required to attend all 3 sessions.