Effective Scientific Communication and Collaboration
Instructor: Samantha Meenach, PhD, URI
Location: URI
Session 1: June 30-July 2 ( Location TBD)
Session 2: July 7-9 ( Location TBD)
Course Overview (100 words max)
This WDT Module is designed to prepare students in critical communication, collaboration and grantsmanship skills essential in today’s scientific workforce. Instruction will include introduction to theory followed by engaging activities and exercises to develop and practice skills. The module includes introduction to communication and collaboration concepts, theories and approaches, followed by opportunities to practice skills through case studies, scenario analysis, and journal reflections. Participants will also learn how to analyze funding opportunities guidelines, write for a grant reviewer and develop compelling written project summaries and a flash talk.
The module will be completed over 2.5 days and participants who complete the module will receive an RI-INBRE Certificate of Completion.
Learning Outcomes
- Understanding and applying theories of collaboration and conflict management to professionally manage differences of opinions.
- Understanding the differences between academic writing and persuasive grant writing-
- Writing for a grant reviewer
- Skills in analyzing Program Announcements/Request for Response
- Enhance written and oral communication skills through developing and critiquing project summaries and developing a persuasive flash talk
Portfolio Contents
Students will be expected to maintain detailed portfolio to include:
- Notes related to the concepts/scenarios presented
- Responses to journal entries designed to create reflective practitioners
- Project summary
- RFP Analysis
- Flash Talk Slides
Additional Information
Resources Used in this Module:
- Slide Decks for Lectures
- Handouts including mini cases, scenarios, RFPs, project summaries
- Videos including “The Lab” from the Office of Research Integrity and Flash Talks
- E-Journal Reflection Questions
| Day 1 | Day 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM-10:30 AM | Introductions; Course Goals and Outcomes; Intro to Scientific Communications ; Reflection 1 | Communication and Collaboration Matters: A Panel Discussion of RI Scientific Industry Employers share why these skill matters and provide tips and advice. |
| 10:30 AM-11:30 AM | Introduction to Collaboration and Conflict Management; Reflection 2 | Intro to Rewriting and Reframing Communication for Audience followed by Group Activity Challenge |
| 11:30 AM-12:00 PM | The Lab Scenario Analysis of research ethics situations | Presentation and Critique of the rewriting and reframing exercise |
| 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Break | Break |
| 1:00 PM-2:00 PM | Managing challenging situations | Developing flash talks (Lecture/examples/discussion) |
| 2:00 PM-3:30 PM | Writing and Communicating to the non-specialist including a guest panel of communication professionals (newspaper and/or tv news professional, academic communications professional) | Developing and Presenting Flash Talk, Critique and Feed back |
| 3:30 PM-4:00 PM | Reflection 3 Putting it all together: In order to communicate effectively with others, one needs to understand their own self and style and understand the perspective of others, what did you take away from today that can be applied now in your current role and in the future? | Final Reflection: What new skill(s) were learned in this module? Why does scientific communication, collaboration, and ethical decision making matter in today’s scientific workforce? WDT Survey and Certificate Distribution |