The Softer Side of Science Communication

The Softer Side of Science Communication

This course is part of Designing Effective Science Communication Specialization

Instructor: Melanie Peffer

Included with

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Explain the role of emotion in human behavior and how it can come up in science communication.
Explain why authenticity, trust, and empathy will help foster connection and consequently science communication.
Explain how improvisation, storytelling, and nonverbal communication can improve your science communication activities.
Describe how to be an inclusive and trauma informed science communicator.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

2 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Designing Effective Science Communication Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 4 modules in this course

In this course, you will continue to explore how to develop and implement evidence-based methods for science communication. Here we’ll be looking at the softer but no less important side of science communication. We’ll cover the basics of human emotion, building connection with your audience through empathy and authenticity, how improv can improve your science communication game, non-verbal communication, and managing adversity in science communication. We’ll close with a discussion of how to be an inclusive and trauma-informed science communicator.

In this module, you will learn about human emotions.

What's included

4 videos4 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt1 plugin

4 videos Total 26 minutes

Course Introduction 3 minutes
Humans As Emotional Beings 9 minutes
Emotion and Science Communication 9 minutes
Managing Anxiety about Science 5 minutes

4 readings Total 36 minutes

Course Updates and Accessibility Support 1 minute
Melanie Peffer TED Talk: Exploring Examples of Safe Gateways To Curiosity 15 minutes
Basics of Human Emotion 10 minutes
Science, Emotion, and Communication 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

The Power of Emotion 30 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

Emotion and Communication 10 minutes

1 plugin Total 15 minutes

Introduce Yourself Map Padlet 15 minutes

In this module, you will discuss the importance of fostering trust in science communication. We will also discuss how to use empathy, vulnerability, and authenticity to do so. Finally, the third part of this module will talk about the use of storytelling, improvisation and non-verbal communication to build connection with your audiences.

What's included

5 videos8 readings1 peer review3 discussion prompts

5 videos Total 35 minutes

Vulnerability, authenticity and Trust in Science Communication 7 minutes
Empathy and Science Communication 8 minutes
Improvisation and Science Communication 5 minutes
Why Use Storytelling? 4 minutes
Nonverbal Science Communication 10 minutes

8 readings Total 80 minutes

Brené Brown TED Talk: The Power of Vulnerability 20 minutes
How to Build Trust in Science and Health: Mini Course 10 minutes
Introduction to Empathy, Brené Brown 3 minutes
The Art of Question Asking: The Other Half of Empathic Listening 10 minutes
Empathy in Science Communication: Mini Course 10 minutes
Introduction: Pop culture and Improvisation 7 minutes
Optional: Improv Can Build Confidence 10 minutes
How To Tell A Science Story: Mini Course 10 minutes

1 peer review Total 60 minutes

Tell A Short Science Story 60 minutes

3 discussion prompts Total 30 minutes

Barriers to Building Trust 10 minutes
Warm-up: Vulnerability and Empathy 10 minutes
Theater and Comedy in Science Communication 10 minutes

In this module, you will learn about conflict and science communication. We will also discuss strategies for managing active conflict and/or adversarial audiences.

What's included

3 videos1 reading1 assignment2 discussion prompts

3 videos Total 22 minutes

Conflict in Science Communication 6 minutes
Where Does Adversity in Science Communication Come From? 7 minutes
Strategies for Managing an Adversarial Audience 8 minutes

1 reading Total 10 minutes

Conflict Resolution 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Conflict and Adversity in Science Communication 30 minutes

2 discussion prompts Total 20 minutes

Conflict 10 minutes
Warm-up 10 minutes

In this module, we will discuss how to be inclusive science communicators. This includes how to be trauma informed, the balance of power in communication, designing for inclusion, and how to be culturally relevant. We'll close with a discussion of an ethical code for science communicators.

What's included

4 videos8 readings1 peer review2 discussion prompts

4 videos Total 24 minutes

Trauma Informed Science Communication 8 minutes
Designing for Inclusion 7 minutes
Ethical Considerations in Science Communication 5 minutes
Wrap Up 4 minutes

8 readings Total 80 minutes

Strategies for Sharing Power 10 minutes
Racism and Discrimination in Health Care: Providers and Patients 10 minutes
Culturally Relevant SciComm: Mini Course 10 minutes
How to be Inclusive in Science Storytelling: Mini Course 10 minutes
The Ethics of Science Communication 10 minutes
Ethics of Science Communication: Mini Course 10 minutes
Course 2 Resources 10 minutes
DESC Universal Final Project Instructions 10 minutes

1 peer review Total 60 minutes

Course 2 Final Project 60 minutes

2 discussion prompts Total 20 minutes

Reflecting on Racism and Discrimination in Healthcare 10 minutes
Being Inclusive in Science Communication Activities 10 minutes

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Instructor

Melanie Peffer

University of Colorado Boulder

8 Courses 39,215 learners

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

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