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This session, chaired by Julie Kimbell and Claude McGowan, highlights the importance of clear written communication in toxicology research for various audiences, including scientists, regulators, and the general public. Discussions will focus on the challenges of conveying complex scientific concepts without jargon, ensuring clarity to prevent misunderstandings. Key sessions include insights from experts like Michael Alley and Helen Chickering on writing style, publishing, and the role of media in communicating scientific advancements. Audience engagement will enrich discussions on public comprehension of toxicology.
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Communicating Science:Writing for Technical and Lay Audiences Chairpersons: Julie Kimbell, CIIT at The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences Claude McGowan, Johnson & Johnson March 27, 2007
Introduction • Toxicology research results can have high impact • Scientists • Regulators • General public • Written communication is critical • Papers, grant proposals, reviews, press releases, web sites, prospectus blurbs, package inserts… • Keys to success for written communication include: • Writing style • Publication • Clarity, no matter what audience is targeted • Audiences issues… • For journalists and lay audiences: Jargon • For scientists: Misunderstanding or misinterpretation
Local Newspaper Headline “Researchers seek cancer answers up rodent's nose” “Formaldehyde trail through nose could yield breakthrough in institute's war on cancer ”
Session Participants • Claude McGowan, Co-chair • Michael Alley (Penn State Univ.), author • Essentials of Style in Scientific Writing • Jim Kehrer (Washington State Univ.), editor • The Ins and Outs of Publishing and Reviewing Manuscripts • Helen Chickering (NBC News Channel), medical reporter • Communicating Science to the Public • Cyndy Yu-Robinson (U.S. EPA), public affairs specialist • Challenges in Communicating Science from the EPA • Discussion moderator
Session Structure • Introduction 5 mins (1:30-1:35) • Michael Alley 25 mins (1:35-2:00) • Jim Kehrer 25 mins (2:00-2:25) • BREAK 10 mins (2:25-2:35) • Helen Chickering 25 mins (2:35-3:00) • Cyndy Yu-Robinson 15 mins (3:00-3:15) • Discussion intro 5 mins (3:15-3:20) • Discussion 55 mins (3:20-4:15) Please hold questions for each speaker until the Discussion period, if possible!
Discussion • How do we translate scientific jargon so non-professionals can appreciate results? • Why should non-professionals should care about the latest advances in toxicology? • How can toxicologists clarify messages for the larger public?