Communicating Social-Ecological Systems Science

1. Communicating Social-Ecological Systems Science Garrett J. O’Keefe, Ph.D. Colorado State University Fort Collins CO Living on Earth ‘11

2. Reconciling Science from Multiple Perspectives • Multiple sciences vs. multiple publics • Journalists, policymakers, legislators, activists, civic-mindeds, end-users, the uninvolved • What are each of these publics’ NEEDS? • What do we WANT for/from each public? • How can we reconcile such demands? Living on Earth '11

3. Communicating for Your AudienceS • Multidisciplinary science needs common themes, messages, often outcome-based • Focus on the problems being approached • Segment to targeted publics, e.g. policymakers, funders, legislators, advocates, media, citizen segments • Seek and find RELEVANCE to each • One size will not fit all! Living on Earth '11

4. Case in Point: Journalists (Threat or Menace?) • Js want more closure, that new “fact” that will interest audiences and be of relevance • Ss want to explore where findings take them, which models are supported or not • Fundamental: J and public not seeing science as a constantly uncertain work in progress, a process, conflicting, with any consensus likely probability-based Living on Earth '11

5. Seeking Common Ground with Journalists • Both Ss and Js are looking for something new. Both are curious, enjoy learning • Both often delight in explaining what they find to other people, and earn a living at it • Good Ss and Js highly value accuracy and rigor in what they do • Good Js also enjoy learning the “why”, which for Ss is always the main goal Living on Earth '11

6. Communicating Your ScienceCan Help You and Your Work • Publics beyond your peers can be critical to you • You can convey broader implications, apps • Awareness can increase citations, impact value • You may attract important outside collaborators • You can increase your area’s salience • And, in turn, grant funding, peer review agenda • You remain competitive in the multimedia world • Identify publics’ characteristics in order to segment/target programs to meet those needs Living on Earth '11

7. The Better YOU Can Explain Your Own Science: • The more ACCURATELY word gets out • The more you attract communicator help • The stronger the impression on your peers, students, admin and donors • The more personal (compelling) your story • The more you respond to public needs, esp. understanding and accountability Living on Earth '11

8. Translating from the Journals to Other Audiences • Invert the “IMRAD” journal format! • Focus turns to IMPLICATIONS 2. Try to find what’s most interesting to THIS audience. • Try to relate what’s compelling about your research to THEIR interests. • What do you want them to learn, to take from this, based on what they already know. Living on Earth '11

9. Use Your Communication Support Networks • Your campus, agency PIOs, admin • Resources in your professional orgs • Colleagues who do it well, funders, etc. • Funded positions on grants for writers, etc. • NSF, AAAS resource sites, workshops • Other reference materials (Nelson et al., Meredith, Wong) Living on Earth '11