Webinar Series
Science Communication in the Age of Misinformation
Michi Tobler (Division of Biology, Kansas State University)
If you wish to earn CE for this webinar, please ensure you register with the primary email address associated with your ABAI portal account.
Abstract: Science plays an essential role in our democratic society, and ideally it provides information that shapes policy and decision-making processes of governmental entities and private citizens. However, we observe a rapid proliferation of misinformation generated by dubious entities with ulterior motives, which has eroded trust in science in some segments of the populations. In fact, scientific findings on many pressing societal issues clash with public perception, political agendas, and policy initiatives. As scientists, whether we are researchers or practitioners, our engagement in outreach and public service critically shapes public attitudes toward science, and I believe it is part of our professional obligation that we help to bolster the trust that diverse publics put in science. I will introduce some evidence-based strategies that can be used to navigate difficult conversations around science and misinformation. Participants will learn how to set audience-centered goals to communicate science and use story-telling frameworks to make science more accessible.
Instruction Level: Appropriate for all levels.
Target Audience: Anyone that wishes to improve their ability to talk about science to non-expert audiences.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the webinar, participants will be able to: (1) describe some major pitfalls in communicating science, especially with audiences that may have preconceived notions; (2) set audience-centered goals for science communication; and (3) explore story-telling frameworks to make science more accessible.
1 BACB CE available.
Biography: Michi Tobler is a Professor of Evolutionary Biology in the Division of Biology at Kansas State University. Michi received a Diploma in Biology from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and a Doctorate in Zoology from the University of Zurich in Switzerland. He has published over 120 peer-reviewed papers in his field. Michi is also passionate about training the next generation of scientists and making science accessible to diverse publics outside of the ivory tower. He is a co-founder of the Kansas Science Communication Initiative, which helps scientists to become better communicators and organizes public engagement events in collaboration with local communities.
CE Package
This item is available to current ABAI members only.
Learning Center Video and Quiz