Caltech, Lucy Jones to Expand Successful Science Communications Workshop

Caltech and the Dr. Lucy Jones Center for Science and Society are partnering on a summer workshop for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. The workshop, based on a successful pilot program that ran in January of 2019, is focused on enhancing science communications with policymakers.

This second iteration of the workshop will take place during the week of July 8, and will expand to 15 hours over the course of five days. Through a mix of classroom discussions and exercises, participants will learn how to most effectively convey research results in order to assist policymakers in their decision-making processes. The program will cover such subjects as: cultural norms for communication within the scientific and policy communities; strategies for scientists communicating with non-specialists; and the governmental structure and policymaking process at the federal, state, and city levels. The workshop will culminate with a visit from government representatives and a debrief of the experience.

"Scientists endeavor to understand reality, and that information is critical for our policymakers, so they can better understand the implications of their policy decisions," Jones says. "I'm excited to partner with Caltech to teach scientists how to develop stronger relationships with these decision makers so that the results of our research can be used more effectively to help society." A noted seismologist and a visiting associate in geophysics at Caltech, Jones established the Dr. Lucy Jones Center for Science and Society in 2016 with the purpose of creating more resilient communities by fostering a broader understanding and application of scientific information.

Caltech graduate students and postdoctoral scholars are encouraged to apply to participate in this free program. Applications for the workshop are being accepted online through Wednesday, May 29, 2019, and will be reviewed by Jones as well as an advisory committee that currently includes Caltech professors Mike Gurnis, Paul Wennberg, Mordechai Feingold, Pamela Bjorkman, and Domniki Asimaki. The committee will also serve as advisers to the participating scholars and Jones throughout the program.