Graduate students across the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources will have the opportunity to strengthen their science communication skills during the fourth annual IANR Graduate Student Science Communication Workshop, set for Monday, Sept. 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Goodding Learning Center, 280 Plant Sciences Hall, East Campus.
The one-day workshop is designed to help students translate complex research into engaging stories that resonate with diverse audiences, from policymakers and community members to media and industry partners. Sessions will cover strategies for writing, presentations, traditional media and social media — all tailored to participants’ own research topics.
Featured sessions include:
- Introduction to science communication — Heather Akin, Ph.D.
- Distilling your core message — Christine Booth, Ph.D.
- Assessing risk before communicating — Laura Young, Ph.D.
- Turning research into visual stories — Tami Brown Brandl, Ph.D.
- Design do’s and don’ts — Lana Johnson, communications specialist
- How AI can support communications work — Ryan Evans, communications specialist
A highlight of the day will be a panel discussion with Akin, Booth, Brown Brandl and Young, moderated by Cara Pesek, senior director of communications for the University of Nebraska System. The panel will explore adaptability and responsiveness in communicating research across traditional and social media channels.
Lunch will be provided courtesy of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and the Agricultural Research Division.
The event is free, but registration is required at go.unl.edu/scicomm2025
