SCIENTISTS NEED MORE! – Getting Information Across

KEY MESSAGE: Arguably the most important part of communication, be it via writing or presentation, is identifying the key message.

STORYLINE: Stories work because our brain evolved during a time without writing. At that time the way to convey information were stories. Stories told by a very successful hunter to a less successful hunter. Or a scientific story told at the conference that can you still remember. What´s the secret of a good scientific story?

DATA VISUALIZATION: We will interactively optimize visualization of data of participants. This discussion will be initiated by a brief lecture on how much impact the proper presentation of numbers has on our peers: processing of numbers, types of graphs, arrangement of sample order, use of colors, visualization of standard deviation are key in conveying the message hidden in our data.

COLLABORATION: Collegial interaction plays a central role in the success as a scientist. Scientific projects benefit from synergistic interaction with collaborators that are also essential sources of feedback on content, methodology and organisation.

Method - Participants will experience interactive lectures, and perform activities followed by moderated group discussions in order to learn from first-hand experience. We will safely move them outside their “comfort zone” to the “learning zone” (Gerald Hüther) to enhance acquisition of novel skills. Participants will learn by supervised "trial-and-error". The shortcoming experienced by participants is subsequently resolved in carefully moderated and focused review sessions, using peer-to-peer feedback as powerful tool.

At the end of the course, the participants will dispose of a personal toolbox that will allow them to communicate efficiently as scientists and successful acquire funding, skills that are key to success!