Science Communication Boot Camp

Today more than ever, the communication landscape is fraught with misinformation. The public turns to multiple sources for information, including friends, the internet, and social media. The need for scientists to communicate effectively reaches far beyond the bench or the discipline. Participants in the American Association of Anatomists (AAA) Science Communication Boot Camp (SCBC) workshop will learn how to communicate complex scientific information effectively to those outside the discipline, and will be encouraged to bring this training back to colleagues at their campuses.

The SCBC will include the following: 1) a hands-on training workshop using techniques from applied improvisation facilitated by the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, 2) interactive discussions and mock interviews with members of local and regional media, 3) training for communicating with policymakers by representatives from the legislative relations office at Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), and 4) a toolkit designed to help participants facilitate similar sessions at their home institution.

The SCBC is supported by an AAA Innovations Grant and the Indiana University School of Medicine.

Dates: July 10-12, 2019
Location: Indianapolis, IN

• Eligibility: Open only to members of the American Association of Anatomists
  (Limited to 32 participants. Participants will be chosen based on their answers to the prompts on the application. Applications will be reviewed by a committee of AAA members and staff. Early career scholars and those from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.)
• Registration Fee: No registration fee
• Participants must cover the costs of: Lodging, ground transportation, airfare, meals not indicated above
• Included in the registration: Breakfast, lunch, and coffee service on July 10, 11, 12; reception on July 10

Travel Scholarships:
Travel scholarships (airfare and lodging) will be available to one graduate student and one early career anatomist (postdoc or untenured faculty) to attend SCBC. These scholarships will be awarded based on the strength of a short essay statement.  Please see the application for additional details.

For additional information contact Jason Organ.