Strategies for effective communication scientific ideas and results by applying best visual communication practices to research communication were discussed. Understanding of principles and useful design approaches used by experts was discussed. Participants were given actionable advice and feedback on their own pre-submitted materials. It was an immersive webinar, structured, easy to follow, memorable, useful and fun.
Date: November 25 (9.00-16.30) + November 26 (9.00-13.30)
Location: Online workhop via zoom
Group size: 20
Schedule
Thursday, November 25 (9:00 am – 4:30 pm with a long lunch break and many short breaks)
- Communicating with scientific vs non-scientific audiences
- Visual perception and what humans find intuitive
- Layout: a global structure that simplifies comprehension
- Eye-flow: effortlessly guide the audience through the design
- Colors: how to amplify, not ‘fancify’
- Feedback and discussion on your pre-submitted figures
- Graphical abstract drawing exercise & group work: draw a sketch of your research and get feedback from peer scientists and the facilitator
Friday, November 26 (9:00 am – 1:30 pm with many short breaks)
- Slides that amplify your messages when presenting
- Feedback and discussion on your pre-submitted slides
- Posters: strategy and process for creating posters that attract and explain
- Feedback and discussion on your posters
Target Audience
Doctoral students and postdocs
Takeaway
Participants got feedback on a selection of their figures, slides and posters submitted ahead of the webinar. In an exercise, they will drew a sketch of their research (a graphical abstract) and discussed it with other participants.
Format
- Interactive online workshop: fundamentals, real examples, and practical advice
- Commenting on pre-submitted figures and slides: ahead of the webinar, participants submitted their science communication materials, and I prepared a selection. During the training participants got suggestions on how to improve their own materials from the presenter and peers.
- Q&A, exercises, and discussion: we tried to solve the most pressing issues they had with their science communication.
Lecturer
Dr. Jernej Zupanc, Founder of Seyens Ltd.
My goal is to help scientists effectively communicate their ideas and results and make an impact with their research. Communication is my professional passion. I read and study eclectically, always on the lookout for approaches from diverse fields that can be readily applied by scientists. I distill the principles and broadly applicable practices into easy to follow and enjoyable learning experiences. I want to create the world’s best transferrable communication skills training. I hold a PhD (2011) and was a PostDoc in computer science, am a Fulbright alumnus and a published photographer.
I worked as Head of computer vision at a startup, as a project evaluator for the European Commission and a grant writer.
Registration
The workshop is fully booked.
The workshop usually is open to all interested PhD students but members of the iRTG of the SFB TRR 102 were given priority.
