communication Archives

196. YOU Can Win A Poster Competition w/ Dr. Zen Faulkes

July 18, 2023July 18, 2023 Daniel Leave a comment

Wherever scientists gather, there is sure to be a poster session. You may see them at major scientific symposia, as well as your university’s departmental retreat.

To keep things interesting, a lot of conference organizers will host a poster competition. Entrants will have a chance to present their poster to a judge, who will score each one on the scientific content, clarity, and style.

Some poster contests offer cash awards, but either way, it makes a great line on your CV.

This week, we share an insider’s guide on how to craft your poster and take home the big prize.

195. Five Myths of Scientific Poster Design w/ Dr. Zen Faulkes

July 3, 2023July 3, 2023 Daniel Leave a comment

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The scientific poster is an academic oddity. Where else do thousands of people gather around hundreds of large-format printouts to talk about esoteric subjects!?

Posters might be the most common form of scientific communication on the planet. In your career, you will probably present more posters than talks or journal articles. And nearly anyone can create a poster – from an undergraduate on a summer rotation to a tenured professor.

So it’s a good idea to hone your skills at creating and presenting scientific posters – you’ll have lots of opportunities to practice!

192. Careers In Focus: Medical Writer

May 2, 2023May 2, 2023 Daniel Leave a comment

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When you think about your day, which events and activities feel the most fulfilling? Which tasks do you tolerate, but would rather avoid?

Maybe your experiments feel like a drag, but you get a lot of satisfaction out of crafting an abstract for your latest research article. Or perhaps you love training new students in lab techniques, even if you don’t love processing samples yourself.

If you find your joy in communicating science more than working at the bench, you may want to explore a career as a medical writer.

190. Mailbag: Can I blend art with science?

March 30, 2023March 30, 2023 Daniel Leave a comment

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It’s time to open the listener mailbag to answer your question about the human side of science, and life in the lab! This week: the importance of lunch, blending art with science, and the dream of a lab-based sitcom.

189. Crafting an Unforgettable Job Talk w/ Dr. Andres De Los Reyes

February 28, 2023March 1, 2023 Daniel 1 Comment

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Think about your favorite action movie that kept you on the edge your seat. Did it look certain that the hero would fall, only to emerge at the very last moment to save the day? Now picture a great movie trilogy or TV series. Did each episode introduce a dangerous cliffhanger at the end, enticing you to watch the next installment to see how the tension would resolve?

Those filmmakers know something about storytelling – crafting a narrative arc that brings the audience along for an exciting ride. Within just a few hours, they have to introduce you to the characters, invest you in their stories, and then take you along on a journey of conflict and resolution.

This week, we talk about how your scientific presentation or job talk can use those same storytelling tools to engage an academic audience, and maybe even land you a new job.