Communicating Agriculture
Beyond Academia
Program
About the HEC Program Virtual Seminars Conference Conference Schedule
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Participants working together at a round table Program participant discussion Participants discussing research Program activity Program participants communicating in small groups Program participants practicing communication Participants adapting research communication Small group communication discussion Program participant communicating with confidence
About the Program

Communication that moves research beyond academia.

The HEC Science Communication Training Program helps graduate students translate their research into messages that resonate with audiences beyond academia. Through seminars, interactive workshops, and an in-person conference, participants learn, practice, and apply communication skills in real-world scenarios.
How the Program Works

Learn. Practice. Apply.

The program combines multiple learning environments so participants can explore communication concepts, practice them with feedback, and apply them in realistic settings.

01
Learn

Virtual Seminars

Live sessions featuring professionals from industry, policy, media, and education explore how research is communicated in different professional contexts and what those audiences expect and value.

02
Practice

Interactive Seminars & Workshops

Small-group virtual sessions help participants apply communication concepts to their own research and develop messages for specific audiences.

03
Apply

In-Person Conference

Participants present ideas, engage in discussion, receive immediate feedback, and apply what they learned in a more interactive real-world setting.

Program participant discussion
Participants discussing research
Program activity
Communicating Across Audiences

Research doesn't change. How you communicate it does.

Effective communication starts with understanding who you are speaking to. Participants explore how the same research may need to be framed differently depending on the audience.

01

Decision-Making & Industry Contexts

Learn to emphasize relevance, implications, and practical value when communicating in settings where information may directly influence decisions.

Policymakers Ag Company Executives Industry Leaders
02

Interpreters & Amplifiers

Practice making complex research accessible and useful to audiences who interpret, translate, or distribute scientific information.

Journalists Medical Professionals Graphic Designers
03

Applied & Public-Facing Audiences

Connect research to practical experiences and everyday decisions using language that is clear, relevant, and useful.

Producers & Farm Workers K–12 Students & Educators Consumers
Program participants communicating in small groups
How the Program Builds Your Skills

Your Communication Journey

Select a step to see how participants progress from understanding an audience to communicating confidently in real-world situations.

Step 1

Understand who you are speaking to.

Effective communication starts before the message is written. Participants learn to identify what an audience already knows, what matters to them, and what they need from the research.

Mini takeaways
  • Identify audience priorities and expectations
  • Consider what the audience needs from the research
Program participants practicing communication
Who Should Apply

Built for researchers who want their work to reach further.

The program is designed for graduate students who want to strengthen how they communicate research beyond academic settings and connect their work with broader audiences and real-world challenges.

This program may be a strong fit if:

✓ You are a graduate student in an agriculture-related field.
✓ You want to communicate research beyond academic audiences.
✓ You are interested in industry, policy, or public audiences.
✓ You want to build confidence communicating in real-world settings.
✓ You are open to discussion, feedback, and interactive learning.
✓ You plan to participate in the seminars and in-person conference.
Take the Next Step

Ready to communicate beyond academia?

Build practical communication skills, connect your research to real-world audiences, and practice communicating with clarity and confidence.

Register Now →

No registration fee. Hotel and meals during the conference are covered by the program. Travel awards are available for selected students.