Marine scientists increasingly face pressure to communicate their work beyond academic audiences, whether it’s to citizen scientists, conservation communities, policy makers, and the public. Yet few researchers receive formal training in how to do this effectively and for early-career researchers in particular, the gap between scientific rigour and public accessibility can feel beyond impossible to bridge. It can be terrifying!
Drawing on personal experience as a science communicator, actor, graphic designer and (of course) a scientist; this presentation offers a practical framework for marine researchers navigating the annals science communication for the first time. Topics covered include managing presentation anxiety and building confidence as a speaker; making talks engaging and memorable to audiences; techniques for making eye-catching slides/posters; adjusting technical language for citizen science and community audiences without sacrificing accuracy; developing a coherent project identity and visual brand that travels across platforms; and leveraging compelling narratives to build genuine public investment in marine research outcomes.
This talk focuses on immediately applicable strategies tested in real contexts - from conference presentations and pub talks, to social media, iNaturalist project management, and community engagement. Attendees will leave with a practical toolkit for communicating their own research with greater clarity, confidence, and impact.