HR: 1340h
AN: OS23A-1289    [Abstracts]
TI: The Importance of Communication: Having Your Message Heard and Understood
AU: * Boa, S
EM: sboa@joiscience.org
AF: Joint Oceanographic Institutions, Inc., 1201 New York Avenue, NW Suite 400, Washington, DC 20009 United States
AB: Communications: what is it all about and why is it important? How can learning simple communications techniques increase understanding of your work, while not taking up more of your time and limited resources? Can better communications lead to improved interactions with public audiences? Given the recent focus on ocean issues by the U.S. National Commission on Ocean Policy, and increased coverage in the media on ocean science and discovery (see this summer's cover story in Newsweek, for example), better communication skills in the scientific community are more important than ever. As experts, scientists are being asked to help the American public make important decisions that will impact the ocean, the scientific community, and the public. At the same time, scientists want an informed public to value their work and the scientific process. A recent opinion poll conducted by Edge Research of American attitudes toward the ocean found that the American public trusts scientists a great deal - in fact, scientists are the most trusted group to convey information about the oceans. Interestingly, though, over half (61%) of those polled believed that citizens and scientists disagreed on the issues facing the ocean. More disturbing, a plurality (42%) said that government should focus on citizens' concerns rather than those of scientists (37%). Better communications can lead to greater understanding and acceptance of ocean sciences. This presentation will offer participants specific examples and techniques that are proven to improve communications - and make communicating less onerous. By constructing a simple "message box," scientists can learn to easily tailor their messages to specific audiences (media, policy makers, other scientists, teachers, students, and the public), simplify their messages and communicate their thoughts more clearly and easily with less effort. Additionally, examples of simple ways to effectively engage the media will also be presented. Learn how, with few resources, your important concepts can be conveyed to any audience and given a wider hearing by utilizing the power of the media.
DE: 6605 Education
DE: 0815 Informal education
SC: Ocean Sciences [OS]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting