Practical Science Communication Workshops

We are pleased to offer a unique practical workshop to provide tools for refining the scientific message and presenting your research in a clear and accessible way to different audiences.

As scientists and researchers, we are at the forefront of science and technology. We are leaders and exposed to all innovations and developments in all fields of science that will affect our lives. However, it is important to remember that the public, which, among other things, influences the funding of these studies, does not share the knowledge we possess. In most cases, we were not exposed during our academic training to the tools and ways to present our research in an accessible way to an audience outside our field of expertise. Therefore, we offer this practical workshop based on research, experience and experimentation to help you make your research accessible to different audiences.

About the workshop:

The workshop consists of a combination of lectures, discussions and, above all, practical experience. In the first part, we will focus on ways to create a basis for dialogue between scientists and people who are not experts in the same field (including decision-makers, relatives and colleagues from different fields). We will learn what research in the field reveals about the public's knowledge, attitudes, and opinions on science and experiment with shaping the message in a way that suits the audience in order to create interest, trust, and empathy.

In the second part of the workshop, we will focus on standing in front of an audience (charisma, coherence, and clarity), refining the message (elevator pitch), and experiment with monologues and dialogues about your research with different audiences.

Who is the workshop suitable for?

The workshop is aimed at researchers from all disciplines, whether they have previous experience in making research accessible or not. Experienced speakers will also be able to benefit from this workshop and learn new strategies to improve and achieve better results in making the scientific message accessible in writing and orally.

About the workshop presenter:

Yael Barel-Ben David holds a BA in Biology and Philosophy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a MA with honors in Science Communication from the Faculty of Science and Technology Education at the Technion. In the past, she guided the Bloomfield Science Museum in Jerusalem and was a regular guest on Channel 23, a judge and finalist in the PaymLab – Science in Three Minutes competition. Yael teaches courses in "Science Communication" and "Experience in Science Communication" at the Faculty of Science and Technology Education at the Technion. Yael guides and accompanies scientists in her research in science communication training throughout the country and abroad.

Technical details:

• The workshop is suitable for 8 to 12 participants, with an emphasis on even numbers (mostly working in pairs).
• The length of the workshop is modular and adapted according to the needs of the inviting body.
• The workshop can be held at a location of the inviting body's choice.
• The minimum length is 3 hours, including a break. The full length of the workshop is two full days (9:30–17:00).
• The workshop can be held in Hebrew or English.
• Workshop participants will benefit from personal consultation tailored to their needs during the six months following the workshop.

Institutions where we have conducted workshops:
Tel Aviv University
Bar-Ilan University
University of Haifa
The Hebrew University
The Technion
The Young Israeli Academy
The "Big Science, Small" Association