Communication and Argument The Most Important Scientific Skills Kevin M. Folta Associate Professor...

Communication and Argument The Most Important Scientific Skills

Kevin M. FoltaAssociate Professor and Chairman Horticultural Sciences Department

kfolta.blogspot.com@kevinfolta

[email protected]

Applications and interviews

Creating an argument

Communication in Seminars and job talks

Developing distinction, and branding

Early career advice

Communication Skills for Scientists

Problem 1 WHO CARES? We’re scientists, not performers. Everyone expects a dull presentation about subject matter with limited appeal.

HOWEVER – You might notice that some of the most recognized scientists are also communicators. They promote and effectively share their innovations and inventions.

A good scientist is an effective:ActorAdvertising agentPublic relations expertPsychologist

it.

Problem 2 – Science is communicated as a written tradition. The field wants facts, not hype. Over-interpretation and sensationalism are not favorable.

The Goal is Communication. This is a two-way exchange involving psychology, psychiatry, anthropology, sociology, and ethology

A good speaker is an outstanding listener

A good speaker is sensitive to obvious feedback

A good speaker is sensitive to subtle feedback

It is not a monolog

It is not the “all about you” show. It is a time to share ideas.

These are rare opportunities, a chance to make an impression

What can an audience learn about you and your project, even if they have no idea what you are talking

about?

PRESENTATION and CONTENT

Seminars and Job Talks: You get the call to present you work… now what?

Can you make your topic relate better? A. Tie in with others in the sessionB. Tie in with others in the institutionC. Tie in with high-profile work

The quality of a presentation is proportional to the time of preparation

Know your audience -- A. Respect for audience-- You don’t want to talk over their heads or below

their abilitiesB.Good presentations can satisfy a diverse audience.C.Know who is likely to be there and acknowledge their findings when appropriate.

Day of Presentation

When does your presentation start?

Know the formats for media used

Know the software if you have embedded images/movies

Go up and learn the stage or presentation area.

Learn the remote and laser pointer. Bring one with you if job presentation or interview!

Presentation Content Management

How much time do you have?

Shoot for 1 slide/minute

When does your presentation start? Know how to start!!!

Thanks the organizers?

The First Four Minutes are Critical! – the 4 minute time point defines the difference between levels of interpersonal communication.

< 4 min = acquaintance > 4 min = higher level of interest and involvement

PREVIEW / REVIEW

“To communicate scientific information effectively and maintain the attention of your audience, adhere to the old rule: ‘Tell 'em what you're gonna tell 'em, then tell 'em, then tell 'em what you've told 'em.’ “

Robert R.H. Anholt The Scientist 8[24]:22, Dec. 12, 1994

Showing Slides

If they are reading the slide, they are not listening to you.

If you put data in front of scientists they will start to interpret it.

You need to lead that discussion

Take time to introduce the data presented (axes, units, etc)

If they are reading the slide, they are not listening to you.

If you put data in front of scientists they will start to interpret it.

You need to lead that discussion

Take time to introduce the data presented (axes, units, etc)

Don’t jam everything you know on one slide.

A NOTE ON POWERPOINT SPECIAL EFFECTS

Organization: Results-- You must show the data! If you cannot show the actual data then it is best left out.

Summary – Review what the content of the presentation

LEAVE TIME FOR QUESTIONS! This is an opportunity to interact directly with your audience. This is when your presentation becomes even more personal. Take advantage of this.

Conclusion – Complete your presentation and try to again emphasizeits relevance and significance.

****Know how you will end and practice it!!!****

-- Strive for a sense of closure

-- Invite questions “… and with that I would be happy to try to answer your questions”

Answering questions

1. Repeat the question so that everyone can hear it

2. The speaker is in control– if it will be a long answer or you wish to discuss it later, do so.

3. It is ok to say, “I have no idea, but I’ll look into it”.

4. Do not ever invalidate the importance of a question, even if it’s stupid.

5. Enjoy the opportunity to say nothing.6. Listen to the question!

Word Usage

Words used in a scientific presentation can have important impacts on credibility. Use this to your advantage!

IT IS NOT A…. IT IS A…

Problem

Disagreement

Objection

Shortcoming

Challenge

Others interpret this differently

Area of concern and further attention

An opportunity for further analysis

Use forward-looking, optimistic language whenever you can!

Word Usage

Make sure you remember what your job is as a research scientist.

You are a hypothesis tester and data interpreter.

Some believe that 90% of meaning comes form non-verbal communication

Non-Verbal Communication

Some researchers suggest that non-verbal communication tells more aboutthe speaker’s true attitude and feelings than does verbal behavior.

“total feeling = 7% verbal feeling + 38% vocal feeling + 55% facial feeling“ (Mehrabian, 1971)

"We learn most about the meaning of nonverbal messages by studying them in relationship to verbal messages. Essentially, a nonverbal message functions in one of three ways: It replaces, reinforces, or contradicts a verbal message." (Tubbs & Moss, Human Communication, p. 104)

KINESICS: communicating with the body

Kinesic behavior is most useful for establishing credibility and supporting otherevidence– (Zenin, 1972)

Immediacy– open posture, body leaning, “open gestures”

Power– walking upright, sweeping gestures, establish credibility and dominance

PROXEMICS -- communicating through the use of space

Manipulation of Proxemics

Television – Theatre--

Applied to science presentation-- this is a very effective tool that can beused to emphasize an important point.

Several “zones”– scientific communication is almost exclusively in the"public zone"

Manipulating proxemics can be an effective way to enhance communication,as few use it to it’s potential. Can you make a “public zone” a “social zone”?

ARTIFACTS– What your stuff says about you.

Almost always are distracting and take away from meaning. Can affect credibility. Make wise decisions.

Studies show that if someone is dressed in a suit others will follow across anintersection with a “Do Not Walk” sign, but will not follow a person dressed in dirty, torn clothes.

Gestures – Are they distracting or used appropriately for emphasis?-- gestures should be in the “gesture bubble”-- know your audience at international meetings!

Facial Expression -- Is it positive, yet appropriate?

Eye Contact – Strong contact with individuals, not “scanning” or hiding.

Stance/Posture -- How do you use podium? How do you hold scripted work?Leaning and Resting– Direct energy transfer to object– don’t do this!

Always face the audience!

PARALANGUAGE: Not what is said, but how it is said

Rate– speed does not equal energy!

Volume – Important to vary during the course of a presentation.

Articulation and Pronunciation – Small problems become obvious, affects credibility

Fluency – “vocalized pauses”. Frequently related to rate.

Use of pause – Can be very powerful if used appropriately. Don’t be afraid to give the audience a chance to stop and think. Silence is golden!

Vocal Quality-- emotional quality of voice nervous, bored excited, etc.

HUMOR– The use of humor correlates with confidence. Use it.

Do not OVERDO it!

Public Speaking Anxiety

Never let nerves detract from the quality and content of your presentation. Anxiety must not hinder communication.

1. Practice“It takes three weeks to practice a good ad-lib speech.”

-Mark Twain

A. Use a video camera to tape your performance.B. Practice early and often with faculty, others. C. Do not try to practice the day of the talk.

2. VisualizationRun through the scenario in your head. Know what to anticipate

3. Remind yourself of who your audience is. They would not be there if they did not care or were uninterested. You only do them a disservice by letting nervous energy cloud your important message.

Some things you can control, some you cannot.

Control the things you can control, don’t let the things you can’t detractfrom your message. If you can, use them to your advantage!

-- space shuttle

-- ASPB 2001

-- Tourette’s





Early career advice

Creating an Argument

Trying to compel the listener to take action

Grant proposals, job seminars, even normal research seminars

PROBLEMA. Evidence

EFFECTSB. Evidence

SOLUTION(s)C. Here’s what you can do.

Monroe’s Motivated Sequence

Insert hypothesis and experiments here.

Grant Writing

As much a communicationsexercise as a scientific one.

You are one in the pile…

Tell the story…

Don’t bombard reader with data

Frame it as a problem to solve, and hypothesis to test.

Grant Writing

Never let it leave without a “halo”

NO typos.

Finish in under the page allotment

Don’t jam in the text

Figures clear and simple

Include citations in text, not with little numbers

proposal

proposal

Grant Writing

Some things I do:

Do not use a “throw away” title

If possible, add a telling graphic to the Summary

Avoid heavy statistics in Introduction- soften. Tell the story. Citation?

Counterarguments – show them your soft spots and defend them -- eliminate options for them to have an “easy out”

Grant Writing

Again, control the things you can control, take pride in a beautiful piece of work you know is going to probably be unfunded.

These days, to come back with a rating of “highly meritorious” or “outstanding” is a true victory.





Early career advice


NEVER go generic with an application

Know what your PD mentors will allow you to take with you.

Offer to provide a CV or highlight accomplishments you want in reference letters (especially points of distinction)

Remember to make an argument

Show how your skills satisfy needs for THEM.

Remember the halo.

Originality wins.


A winning interview philosophy

phone

in person

What does the committee want? Show them you already did it.





Early career advice

Developing Distinction

What can you do to now to separate yourself from the others?

Your Work

Conferences

Develop a website to make it simple

Press releases

Contact websites with proposals

Proactive Efforts

Review manuscripts

Find a grant deadline to write for

Offer to generate a scholarly review

Pursue travel grants

Side projects with little PI impact


What can you do to now to separate yourself from the others?

Extracurriculars

Popular articles for websites

Science blogging

Podcast

Mentoring

Community science organization

Awards


Claim your electronic real estate!!! NOW.

•Get your name in a URL

•Get a Twitter handle, others

•Find your blog space, write often

•Maintain a professional website of your work





Early career advice

Early Career Advice in a Challenging TimeEarly Career Advice in a Challenging Time

Universities are in a buyer’s marketUniversities are in a buyer’s market

Startup packages are scary lowStartup packages are scary low

Lower funding ratesLower funding rates

Higher bar for publicationHigher bar for publication

Higher costs of student supportHigher costs of student support

Older students and postdocsOlder students and postdocs

Low-hanging fruits are few and far betweenLow-hanging fruits are few and far between

Increasingly difficult to find your nicheIncreasingly difficult to find your niche

My Ten CommandmentsMy Ten Commandmentsor my strongly advisable recommendationsor my strongly advisable recommendations

If it’s stupid, and it works, it’s not stupidIf it’s stupid, and it works, it’s not stupidWrite everydayWrite everydayIf you don’t ask, you don’t getIf you don’t ask, you don’t getMeasure twice, cut onceMeasure twice, cut onceIt is better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have itIt is better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have itYou are the captain of your own shipYou are the captain of your own shipSecond place is the first loserSecond place is the first loserDon’t sacrifice good enough for betterDon’t sacrifice good enough for betterIt takes money to make moneyIt takes money to make moneyCrisis and opportunity are intertwinedCrisis and opportunity are intertwinedLuck is the residue of proper design and hard workLuck is the residue of proper design and hard workSurround yourself with people that like you and know CPRSurround yourself with people that like you and know CPRDeliver more than you promiseDeliver more than you promise

You Don’t Ask, You Don’t GetYou Don’t Ask, You Don’t GetYou need to learn to be pro-active, anticipatory and assertiveYou need to learn to be pro-active, anticipatory and assertive

Others may neglect your needs because they are personally Others may neglect your needs because they are personally overburdenedoverburdened

Nobody will or should share your urgencyNobody will or should share your urgency

Suppliers have programs to get you what you needSuppliers have programs to get you what you need

Your department chair, deansYour department chair, deans

Colleagues have connections- make sure you use themColleagues have connections- make sure you use them– Connections for federal panelsConnections for federal panels

– Connections for editorial/review dutiesConnections for editorial/review duties

– Collaborative opportunitiesCollaborative opportunities

– Service liteService lite

Get It in WritingGet It in WritingThe basis of no bad feelingsThe basis of no bad feelings

Administration- Space, personnel, etc.Administration- Space, personnel, etc.

Expectations- T&P etc.Expectations- T&P etc.

Students- When their appointments will end; Students- When their appointments will end; expectations thereinexpectations therein

Collaborators- Clarify deadlines and timelines; Collaborators- Clarify deadlines and timelines; expectations and how costs will be distributed within a expectations and how costs will be distributed within a consortiumconsortium

Keep in mind that most agreements are easily Keep in mind that most agreements are easily disregardeddisregarded

Develop Develop YourYour Program ProgramSeek National and International DistinctionSeek National and International Distinction

•Avoid piling on to a hot trendAvoid piling on to a hot trend•Develop an expertise that may be applied to a hot Develop an expertise that may be applied to a hot topictopic•Develop a unique research track where you can be Develop a unique research track where you can be recognized as the expertrecognized as the expert•Think about how what you know can be applied to Think about how what you know can be applied to a local problem– relevance!a local problem– relevance!•Try to develop a hybrid basic-applied programTry to develop a hybrid basic-applied program

Tenure-Schmenure.Tenure-Schmenure.Play to your strengths, do your sciencePlay to your strengths, do your science

Avoid developing a program that “checks the boxes”Avoid developing a program that “checks the boxes”

Work like your pants are on fireWork like your pants are on fire

Find a mentoring committee and meet annually. Ensure Find a mentoring committee and meet annually. Ensure that they prepare an annual report to address strengths and that they prepare an annual report to address strengths and weaknesses.weaknesses.

OvercommitmentOvercommitmentIf you do a good job, you’ll get to do it again. And If you do a good job, you’ll get to do it again. And again. again.

It is easy to gain a reputation of being “surfacy”It is easy to gain a reputation of being “surfacy”

Don’t fail to meet obligationsDon’t fail to meet obligations

Avoid “opportunities” that are really hindrancesAvoid “opportunities” that are really hindrances

Avoid ego-centric choicesAvoid ego-centric choices

It is okay, if not essential, to say noIt is okay, if not essential, to say no

Develop and Refine a Positive Develop and Refine a Positive ReputationReputation

ShareShare

ParticipateParticipate

Freely disseminate information and dataFreely disseminate information and data

Become an active part of a communityBecome an active part of a community

Don’t fear getting scooped. Get the work done. Don’t fear getting scooped. Get the work done.





Early career advice

Conclusion

Don’t always be a scientist, tell a story, communicate

Use every opportunity to develop ways of distinguishing yourself from your peers

Use all of the opportunities you have to share your science

Contacts

Email ; [email protected]

Twitter @kevinfolta

Blog: kfolta.blogspot.com

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