Why Tell a Story?
I am going to tell you a story about why you should tell a story. You might be saying to yourself, “Why?” Things could get a bit circular here. And good stories follow a linear path, using momentum, colour and…
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The Magical and Mostly Missing Ingredient in Science Communications
I promise I won’t be one of those annoying writers who saves the punchline — the magical and missing ingredient — until the very last paragraph. I respect you too much for that. And also because that’s the missing ingredient.…
Why You Are More Interesting Than Your Slide Deck
I was sitting in the front row, on the left side of the lecture hall, and it should have been a great seat. I did end up thinking a fair bit about seats. I had every reason to believe the…
Tips From a TV Producer
Jay Ingram on Discovery Channel shoot Message 90% of what you say will be forgotten. Allow your passion for the subject to show. Think about the two or, at most, three main points you want to get across to create…
What To Do When a Reporter Calls
From the Banff Science Communications program archives Ask these questions. What is your name? Which media outlet are you with? What is your story about? How are you approaching the story? What’s happened to trigger this story? Are you speaking…
About Conversations Based on Respect
Shooting science on the street as part of the Banff Science Communications program Science shows us things that can seem counter-intuitive During the pandemic, there was a mad scramble to understand the new virus on the scene and how to…
Interview Prep Sheet
Participants in the Banff Science Communications program To prepare for an interview, give some thought in advance to the outcomes you are hoping to achieve (call to action, behavior change, attendance, conversation). Create a short one-paragraph summary of the story…
Television Interview Do’s and Don’ts
John Davidson and Henry Kowalski at the Banff Science Communications program This list comes from the seasoned television producers who taught in the Banff Science Communications program. Thanks Henry and Rob! Interview do’s This is a two-sided do and don’t.…
How to Host a Five-Star Workshop
A learning experience in an informal setting is not a classroom. Event rules apply! This checklist will help you shape and deliver your workshop in a user-centred style that will earn you rave reviews. Thank you for thinking this way…
Your Slides Are Not Your Speaking Notes
Taking a professional approach to presentation decks PowerPoints used in scientific talks would generally be described as brutal for any public talk. Here are 20 tips for using Powerpoint well, regardless of the audience. 1. Think about whether you need…