Science touches nearly every aspect of our lives. Over the past several years, we have invited esteemed guests — both inside and outside of academia — to share a wide variety of perspectives on where science meets society, and the role communication plays. Through these discussions, we have explored new pathways for scientists to think about their own work, and considered ways to strengthen our collective impact.
Here, we look at Amplify events of the past, which took advantage of the remote working environment to connect with insightful guests from outside our region.
What the COVID-19 pandemic tells us about science in society
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every part of our global society, putting science and scientists in the front seat as we navigate this crisis. In this Amplify, we explore the intersection of science and society, the role of science journalism and science communication and how to turn information into action. Our guests were Liz Neeley, founder and principal of Liminal Creations, and Ed Yong, science writer at The Atlantic covering the coronavirus pandemic.
Making science communication inclusive and equitable
Many researchers are spending more time thinking about how to make their work inclusive and equitable, including how they communicate about their science. Dean Lisa Graumlich sat down with Sunshine Menezes to talk about inclusive science communication, what it means and how we can build inclusive communication into our everyday practice.
Science in the political land- (and sea-) scape: how research and natural resource policy intersect
Effective natural resource management needs grounding in science to make sure ecosystems thrive while also delivering what humans want and need. But science alone does not get us there; what else is necessary to make sure natural resources are used sustainably while providing us with the goods and services on which we depend? We explore the intersection of science and policy with special guests Hilary Franz, Washington Commissioner of Public Lands, and Letise LaFeir, Senior Advisor at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Navigating the human relationships critical to successful practice-based science
It is no longer enough for scientists to communicate a scientific topic clearly. In addition to being experts in their fields of study, they must also be expert enough to navigate the thoughts, feelings and opinions of the people they engage with, as well as their own. Professor P. Sean McDonald connects with scientist and science communication practitioner Faith Kearns to explore some of the approaches Kearns uses and details in her new book, “Getting to the Heart of Science Communication,” to better listen, work with conflict, and understand trauma, loss and healing.
