Virtual Experience

Virtual Seminar Series

Each session pushes you to rethink how your research sounds outside academia.

From policy to journalism to industry, you’ll practice shaping your message for the people who influence how science is understood and used.

7 Virtual Seminars

May–July

Mon-Tue-Wed - 2–3 PM CT

Live on Zoom

Attend 4+ sessions → Travel award eligibility

Science Communication in the Age of AI

Generative AI can help you write, summarize, and even shape ideas—but it can also mislead, oversimplify, or introduce errors if used uncritically. This session is led by a co-author of Ten simple rules for optimal and careful use of generative AI in science, and focuses on how to use these tools responsibly—understanding when they add value, when they don’t, and how to maintain scientific integrity while communicating your work.

Communicating with Journalists

Research becomes impactful when it can be translated into a story. This session explores how journalists approach scientific information, what makes research newsworthy, and how to communicate clearly so your work is represented accurately in the media.

Communicating with K–12 Audiences

Explaining science simply is not about “dumbing it down”—it’s about making it understandable. This session is led by a Speech-Language Pathologist, bringing expertise in how children process language, learn new concepts, and build understanding. You’ll learn how to break down complex ideas into clear, engaging explanations that stick with young audiences.

Communicating with Producers

Producers make decisions based on practicality, experience, and outcomes. You’ll learn how to present your research in a way that connects to on-the-ground realities—focusing on what is actionable, relevant, and useful in production systems.

Communicating with Policymakers

Policymakers operate in fast-paced environments where decisions are shaped by timing, priorities, and the need for clear, actionable information. In this session, you’ll learn how to move beyond presenting results and instead frame your research around the problem it addresses, why it matters now, and what decision-makers need to understand. You’ll also learn how to define a clear “ask”—what you are asking policymakers to consider, support, or act on—so your research is not only informative, but useful in decision-making.

Communicating Science to Business Leaders

Executives make decisions that balance strategy, risk, and return—often without time for technical detail. This session focuses on how to communicate your research in a way that aligns with high-level decision-making. You’ll learn how to frame your work in terms of impact, relevance, and outcomes—what it means for operations, efficiency, cost, or long-term strategy—so your message is clear, focused, and actionable.

Communicating with Consumers

Consumers turn to science when making decisions—what to buy, what to avoid, and what to trust. In this session, you’ll focus on how to explain your research in a way that supports those decisions, particularly around food, health, and production. The emphasis is on clearly communicating what your work means in practice, so it helps people interpret the information they encounter and make more informed choices.

Workshop with PIs: Strategic Audience Positioning

After the seminar series, students participate in a hands-on workshop led by the program PIs.

The focus is simple: take a research idea and learn how to frame it differently depending on who you are speaking to.

Working in small groups, students will focus on a specific audience—such as industry, policymakers, or producers—and define:

Who they are speaking to
Why it matters to that audience
What problem the research is addressing
What the audience should remember

This session is designed to prepare students for the conference by moving from understanding audiences to actively shaping their message.

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