Online hands-on science communication training

On Friday 22 November, IEEE Robotics and Automation Society will be hosting an online science communication training session for robotics and AI researchers. The tutorial will introduce you to science communication and help you create your own story through hands-on activities.

Date: 22 November 2024
Time: 10:00 – 13:00 EST (07:00 – 10:00 PST, 15:00 – 18:00 GMT, 16:00 – 19:00 CET)
Location: Online – worldwide
Registration
Website

Science communication is essential. It helps demystify robotics and AI for a broad range of people including policy makers, business leaders, and the public. As a researcher, mastering this skill can not only enhance your communication abilities but also expand your network and increase the visibility and impact of your work.

In this three-hour session, leading science communicators in robotics and AI will teach you how to clearly and concisely explain your research to non-specialists. You’ll learn how to avoid hype, how to find suitable images and videos to illustrate your work, and where to start with social media. We’ll hear from a leading robotics journalist on how to deal with media and how to get your story out to a wider audience.

This is a hands-on session with exercises for you to take part in throughout the course. Therefore, please come prepared with an idea about a piece of research you’d like to communicate about.

Agenda

Part 1: How to communicate your work to a broader audience

The importance of science communication
How to produce a short summary of your research for communication via social media channels
How to expand your outline to write a complete blog post
How to find and use suitable images
How to avoid hype when communicating your research
Unconventional ways of doing science communication

Part 2: How to make videos about your robots

The value of video
Tips on making a video

Part 3: Working with media

Why bother talking to media anyway?
How media works and what it’s good and bad at
How to pitch media a story
How to work with your press office

Speakers:
Sabine Hauert, Professor of Swarm Engineering, Executive Trustee AIhub / Robohub
Lucy Smith, Senior Managing Editor AIhub / Robohub
Laura Bridgeman, Audience Development Manager IEEE Spectrum
Evan Ackerman, Senior Editor IEEE Spectrum