Communicating Agriculture
Beyond Academia

HEC Science Communication Training Program

Communicate science. Impact agriculture.

Develop skills to share agricultural science beyond academia. Join virtual seminars and an in-person conference to connect, learn, and grow as a science communicator.

About the Program

Empowering Science Communication Nationwide

The HEC Science Communication Training Program helps graduate students strengthen the skills needed to communicate agricultural science beyond academic audiences through virtual learning and an in-person conference.

Why it matters

Why Science Communication Matters

Research has greater impact when people can understand why it matters. The program gives students opportunities to practice translating technical science into clear, relevant communication for audiences beyond their own disciplines.

Online Virtual Seminars → In Person HEC Conference →

Now Available 2026 Conference Target Audience Assignments Conference participants can now find their assigned target audience and begin preparing their presentation. Find your audience → Participants Who Is It For? See how students, collaborators, sponsors, and speakers can take part. Explore participants ↓ Schedule Upcoming Events Explore upcoming virtual seminars and conference activities. View events ↓ Program Learn More About HEC Explore the goals, structure, and broader vision of the training program. About the program →

Upcoming Events

Connect. Learn. Advance.

Explore upcoming seminars and program activities designed to strengthen your science communication skills and expand your professional network.

Virtual Seminar

May 4, 2026

Seminar 1: Communicating Science in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

2:00 - 3:00 PM CDT Online (Zoom)

Learn how to use artificial intelligence responsibly in research and how to communicate its use with transparency and scientific integrity.

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Interactive Virtual Seminar

May 20, 2026

Seminar 2: Communicating Science to Journalists

2:00 - 3:30 PM CDT Online (Zoom)

What’s the real story behind your research? This session helps you find it and communicate it clearly for a broader audience without losing accuracy.

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Virtual Seminar

June 8, 2026

Seminar 3: Communicating Science to K-12 Students

2:00 - 3:00 PM CDT Online (Zoom)

This session focuses on how to communicate science effectively to K–12 audiences by adapting language, structure, and examples to different age groups.

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View all events →

Who Is It For?

A Program Built Around Science Communication

HEC brings together graduate students and the people who can help them become stronger, more confident science communicators. There is a role for students, academic and industry partners, program supporters, and communication experts.

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Participants

Graduate Students in Agricultural Sciences

Build practical communication skills, learn from experts, and connect with graduate students from universities across the country.

Learn • Practice • Connect

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Collaborators

Academic and Industry Partners

Engage with emerging scientists, share real-world perspectives, and help students understand how effective communication shapes agriculture beyond academia.

Connect • Advise • Collaborate

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Supporters

Program Sponsors and Advocates

Support innovative training experiences and help prepare the next generation of agricultural scientists to communicate their work with broader audiences.

Support • Grow • Strengthen

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Experts

Seminar and Conference Speakers

Share expertise, mentor students, and bring communication, industry, policy, media, and outreach perspectives into program sessions.

Teach • Mentor • Inspire

Program Impact

Impact by the Numbers

Since its launch, the HEC Science Communication Training Program has connected graduate students and universities through practical science communication training and collaborative learning.

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140+

Students Trained

Graduate students reached nationwide

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Participating Universities

Institutions represented across the program

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2020

Program Established

Building science communication skills since 2020

Program participation continues to grow through virtual seminars, university partnerships, and the annual HEC communication conference.