1. Nuts and Bolts: Across the Divide: Sarah E. Myhre Ph.D.
Strategy, Skills and Priorities for Scientific Communication
AND
Across the Divide:
Cognitive and ethical issues facing scientists
Sarah E. Myhre Ph.D.
Future of Ice Initiative
School of Oceanography
University of Washington
Maybe focus on the experience of: what is the scientist’s role as a human being OR to objectively push the science out without any narrative.
That question is between the lines, and could be more explicit.
Public policy exists for other scientific fields: why are we held to a different standard. Important to draw the line for your audience between what you are reporting and then the normative statemtns.
Professional responsibility….vs personal responsibility
Only the people who don’t understand the consequence of the sciece should make the value-laden statements.

3. Definitely trial by fire….

4. Nuts and Bolts: Across the Divide: A SHORT ROADMAP
Planning your dive, diving your plan
Establishing expertise – an introductory exercise
Mitigating risk
*Discussion*
Across the Divide:
The advocacy spectrum
Building communicative self awareness – an exploratory exercise in authenticity
Emotional resilience in the face of change
All content, plus additional resources at: sarahmyhre.com/naccb2016/

5. PLANNING YOUR DIVE, DIVING YOUR PLAN
Manuscript Accepted!
Manuscript Published!
Time
1-10 years
1-4 months
2 weeks

6. PLANNING YOUR DIVE, DIVING YOUR PLAN
Short courses on science communication
Get on Twitter
Communication workshops x5
Consider what your online presence looks like, control your own narrative, just like your CV
Website? What happens when you Google your name….
Time
1-10 years
1-4 months
2 weeks

7. PLANNING YOUR DIVE, DIVING YOUR PLAN
Write your own story
Network for opportunities to contribute to higher profile blogs
Fact sheet
Message box
Contact your institution’s communication office
Online housekeeping – Twitter, FB, website
Time
1-10 years
1-4 months
2 weeks

8. PLANNING YOUR DIVE, DIVING YOUR PLAN
Interview with message box to stay on topic
Post your own blog
Beer, massage, retail therapy
Refer reporters to your factsheets/websites
Clear some space on your calendar
Time
1-10 years
1-4 months
2 weeks

9. “Hey Scientists…are you really ready to talk to the media”
PLANNING YOUR DIVE, DIVING YOUR PLAN
Look at Medium article
“Hey Scientists…are you really ready to talk to the media”

10. My name is ____________________. I am an expert in ________________,
ESTABLISHING EXPERTISE – AN INTRODUCTORY EXERCISE
Hi.
My name is ____________________.
I am an expert in ________________,
because _______________________.

11. So, how do we reduce individual risk for scientists?
MITIGATING RISK
So, how do we reduce individual risk for scientists?
Or, even better, how do we train students?
Skills/Resources for successful scientific publication
Skills/Resources for successful scientific communication
Least risky
On-the-fly communication skills
Disciplinary Expertise
Internet savvy
Risky
Time management
Funding
Message-focus
Collaborative relationships
Risky
Framework around science ethics

12. MITIGATING RISK
There ARE risks in talking about your science to the media and the general public
Scientific Peers:
Colleagues and hiring committees may not agree with the way you talk about your science (too personal, too much advocating, too emotional).
The time it takes to do this well will most likely detract from your RI publishing record.
General Public:
Your voice may be polarized or politicized.
You could be targeted for harassment.
In “other” places in the world, environmentalists are killed for their views.

13. Look at Medium article:
MITIGATING RISK/DISCUSSION
There ARE risks to your career, public brand, potential future jobs, and tenure in speaking publically.
It’s your responsibility to understand the landscape of risk, and to help your students and colleagues make safe decisions.
Look at Medium article:
Weigh the costs: communicating personally and professionally as a climate scientist

14. Why are we doing this work as scientists?
ACROSS THE DIVIDE:
Why are we doing this work as scientists?
THE ADVOCACY SPECTRUM
Let’s be honest, we don’t all agree…
Broaden participation
Enhance education infrastructure
Benefit society: improved tech. or inform public policy
Advocacy is not a part of institutional mandates
Wake people up to the real risks of abrupt climate change
Demonstrate that climate/emission trajectory right now matters
Advocacy of science-based decision making

15. There are legitimate concerns across the spectrum
Imperative of communicating real risks
Erosion of trust and credibility
ADVOCACY SPECTRUM
The cool thing about academia is that we all get a seat at the table

16. Imperative of communicating real risks
BUILDING COMMUNICATIVE SELF AWARENESS
AN EXPLORATORY EXERCISE IN AUTHENTICITY
Imperative of communicating real risks
Erosion of trust and credibility

17. Part of the dignity of being a public servant is speaking about the
THE ADVOCACY SPECTRUM
Part of the dignity of being a public servant is speaking about the
risks to communities and public resources
Personally, for me and my family…..
When I step out of my professional role, this is what I’m concerned about…
You know, I’d like to answer that question, but I want to be clear that I’m speaking personally, not professionally…

18. Pluralism is not only possible, it is our shared future.
THE ADVOCACY SPECTRUM
There is a role for senior scientists to change the culture
Imperative of communicating real risks
Erosion of trust and credibility
Pluralism is not only possible, it is our shared future.
These conflicts are going NOWHERE
Institutions need to acknowledge and protect
individual scientists willing to take larger public risks

19. EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF CHANGE
Published in The Guardian
May 19th 2016

20. Integrating the pain, cognitive dissonance
EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF CHANGE/ DISCUSSION
“I believe most scientists are also, quietly and professionally, mourning the loss of the balance of Earth’s life. The pain doesn’t stop. It’s carried upon every wildfire, coral bleaching, or marine die-off. But, we can use these waves of pain to inform our moral commitment to the present and future. It requires the brave integration of science and self, the acceptance of loss.”
Integrating the pain, cognitive dissonance
Dealing with a culture of apathy and anti-intellectualism
Taking care of yourself

21. Take home points: Nuts and Bolts: Across the Divide:
My kid on skis at the age of 2
Take home points:
Nuts and Bolts:
Preparation is essential
Establish credibility
Know the landscapes of opinions around you in order to take calculated risks.
Across the Divide:
Acknowledge the advocacy spectrum
Acknowledge the need for leadership and institutional change.
Start with yourself: you aren’t a martyr, you are a scientist.