Wednesday, August 10

AIBS Announces Communications Boot Camp for Scientists

AIBS Announces Communications Boot Camp for Scientists
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Dear Colleague,

Rarely has the need for effective and influential communication about science been more important than it is today.

Politicians and political interests are redefining and reinterpreting science—with great persistence and impact. The majority of the public still respect scientists and value science, but they often find it challenging to discern who and what is legitimate.

Simply adding to the noise will not provide individuals with the understanding they need to inform their deliberations and decisions. Scientists must become more skilled at communicating in impactful ways.

The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) is responding to this need by offering scientists a new professional development opportunity. The AIBS Communications Training Boot Camp for Scientists expands on our highly successful media and science policy training workshops. The program meets the needs of everyone from graduate students to senior researchers and program administrators.

AIBS is the scientific organization that promotes the use of science to inform decision-making that advances biology for the benefit of science and society.

AIBS has a long and successful track record of engaging, informing, and influencing the public and science policy decision-makers. Our audiences include members of Congress, federal agency heads and program managers, state officials, and university administrators. In addition to working directly with these groups, we routinely engage the public through traditional and new media.

Our staff members have used their decades of science policy and communications experience to develop training materials and resources that provide scientists with the skills needed to successfully communicate about their research with decision-makers and reporters. To date, AIBS has trained more than 1,000 scientists.

AIBS Communications Boot Camp

The Boot Camp is an intensive, two-day, hands-on training program in Washington, DC.

Participants will learn:
  • How to translate scientific findings for non-technical audiences
  • How to tell a resonant story that informs decision-makers
  • How to prepare for and participate in a news interview, including broadcast interviews
  • How to prepare for and engage in a meeting with a decision-maker
  • How to protect your scientific reputation
  • How to identify and define the audience you need to reach
  • What policymakers want and need to know from a scientist
  • What reporters are looking for in an interview
  • How the nation’s science policy is developed and implemented
Participants will have the opportunity for formal and informal discussions with science policy and communications experts working in Washington, DC. A course outline is available here.

Dates: December 7–8, 2016

Location: AIBS Washington, DC, Offices, 1201 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 420, Washington, DC 20005

Cost: The registration fee covers instruction, materials and resources, breakfast and lunch during the program, and a reception on December 7th. Transportation and lodging are not included, but AIBS can offer recommendations about lodging options. 

 
$420/person     AIBS Individual Members. The course is not tax deductible, but a portion of an individual AIBS membership is tax deductible. A non-refundable $100 deposit is required at the time of registration. Join or renew now.
$420/personIndividuals officially nominated to participate by an AIBS Member Society or Organization (MSO) in good standing. A non-refundable $100 deposit is due at the time of registration.
$495/personIndividuals who are not AIBS members or nominated by an AIBS MSO. A $100 deposit is due at the time of registration.Join AIBS now to save $75.00.
$390/personGroup Discount: This rate is available to any organization that sponsors the registration of four or more individuals. Please contact jpalakovichcarr@aibs.org for details.


Register now: https://www.aibs.org/public-policy/communications_boot_camp.html

We look forward to seeing you this December!

Sincerely,

Robert Gropp, Ph.D.
Interim Co-Executive Director