Luncheon event to focus on challenges of communicating scientific uncertainty, especially in the context of climate change

The University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography’s Metcalf Institute will hold a SciComm Exchange for Rhode Island researchers on Wednesday, April 16, 2014, from 12 – 1 p.m. at URI’s Carothers Library in Kingston, RI.  The one-hour lunchtime session will feature Cornelia Dean, New York Times science journalist and distinguished lecturer and writer-in-residence at Brown University. Register here

Metcalf Institute’s SciComm Exchanges, supported by Rhode Island NSF Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), are part of an ongoing effort to help Rhode Island research faculty, staff, and graduate students strengthen their communication skills through informal conversations with their peers and communication experts.

Cornelia Dean will share her perspectives on the challenges researchers face when communicating scientific uncertainty, especially in the context of climate change.

The SciComm Exchange series comes as news organizations and the public digest the latest reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 5th Assessment Report   Researchers will be encouraged to discuss these issues and Dean’s insights through informal exchanges with their colleagues at the April 16 lunchtime program.

The SciComm Exchange is open to all faculty, research staff and graduate students from colleges or universities in Rhode Island.  Lunch is included and registration is free, but space is limited, so participants should register here by April 14.

About Metcalf Institute

The University of Rhode Island’s Metcalf Institute is an internationally recognized leader in providing environmental science training for journalists. The Institute also offers communication workshops for scientists, science resources for journalists and free public lectures on environmental topics.  Metcalf Institute was established at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography in 1997 with funding from three media foundations, the Belo Corporation, the Providence Journal Charitable Foundation and the Philip L. Graham Fund, with additional support from the Telaka Foundation.  Metcalf programming is underwritten by federal and foundation grants, as well as private donations managed by the University of Rhode Island Foundation.

About RI NSF EPSCoR

Rhode Island NSF EPSCoR conducts groundbreaking research and develops academic talent in the science and technology fields to increase competitiveness in research and development, build a more capable workforce and fuel economic growth in the Ocean State. Funded by the National Science Foundation and state contributions, RI EPSCoR brings together nine of the state’s public and private institutions of higher education in pursuit of a strong and sustainable marine ecosystem that serves as a foundation for Rhode Island’s economy and quality of life. Its partner institutions are Brown University, Bryant University, Community College of Rhode Island, Providence College, Rhode Island College, Rhode Island School of Design, Roger Williams University, Salve Regina University, and the University of Rhode Island.