Application Deadline for Effective Scientific Communication Course

Effective communication of scientific findings is a core professional skill. While researchers may receive training for traditional formats (such as giving scientific talks and writing for journals), relatively little time is devoted to honing the unique skills required to engage a broader audience. Making science accessible requires learning to distill complex topics down to their core concepts, to craft a narrative arc around key translational applications, to optimize the visual representation of data, and, for oral presentations, attending to technical aspects of performance. While challenging to learn, such skills are invaluable for disseminating key research findings– and, more practically, for obtaining funding in a competitive market.

To this end, the NNCI will be offering a longitudinal course on Effective Scientific Communication. Participants will have the option to create and develop either a brief talk for our “This ‘Stuff’ Is Really Cool” (TSIRC) series or a clinical commentary. Successful talks will be performed as part of a symposium at the SOBP Annual Meeting; successful clinical commentaries will be submitted to Biological Psychiatry.

The longitudinal program will begin in January and meet weekly. Each session will focus on one specific communication skill: there will be an assignment to complete in advance and class time will be used to review work and offer direct feedback. For individuals working on a TSIRC, the course will run through April; for clinical commentaries, we’ll continue to offer regular coaching until the piece is ready for submission.

Applications are due by Friday, November 10^th.

Applicants should submit:

• an NIH Biosketch (or equivalent CV document);
• a brief outline of the key content / narrative arc that you are hoping to develop (2-3 paragraph max);
• a brief sample that highlights your communication skills. For a clinical commentary, please include 2-3 paragraphs that illustrate your writing style; for a TSIRC, please submit a 1-2 minute excerpt from your imagined talk (please don’t worry about production quality – a simple quicktime screen recording is fine);

Application materials should be compressed into a single zip file and submitted here.

Please feel free to contact us (nncionline@parthenonmgmt.com) with any questions – we look forward to reviewing your submission and to another exciting course!