Effective Scientific Communication and Collaboration
Instructor: Kris A. Monahan, PhD, Providence College
Location: URI
Session 1: May 22 and May 23 ( Lecture Room: Avedisian Rm 205)
Course Overview
This WDT Module is designed to prepare students in critical communication, collaboration and ethical decision-making skills essential in today’s scientific workforce. Knowing how to communicate with non-experts and collaborate ethically are skills every researcher needs. This module uses a variety of engaging, practical activities and exercises and a panel discussions with RI science employers and communication professionals to delve into communication and collaboration skills. Participants will engage with industry partners, learn how to write and tailor messages for varying audiences, and work through case studies of ethical decision making. The module will be completed over 2 days and participants who complete the module will receive an RI-INBRE Certificate of Completion
Learning Outcomes
- Identifying communication goals, understanding different audiences, and crafting a key message
- Understanding and applying theories of collaboration and conflict management to professionally manage differences of opinions
- Understanding and reflecting on choice of language and respect for cultural differences
- Understanding microagressions and working with individuals with diverse perspectives
- Understanding the characteristics and communication skills needed to be successful in today’s RI scientific workforce
- Enhance written and oral communication skills by developing and critiquing communications for non-experts
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 and demonstrate understanding
- Written communications and case study analysis (e-mail, infographic, email, project summary)
- Flash Talk Slides
Resources Used in this Module:
- Slide Decks for Lectures
- Handouts including mini cases and scenarios
- Videos including “The Lab” from the Office of Research Integrity and Flash Talks
- E-Journal Reflection Questions
- Guest Lecture(s)/Panel from Communication professionals
- RI Science Industry Panel “Communication and Collaboration Matters”
Timeline
| 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 | Intro to Microagressions, working with diverse people and perspectives Case analysis: 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 |