DivulgaMicro: A Brazilian Initiative To Empower Early-Career Scientists with Science Communication Skills

Autor(es)

Andrade Oliveira, Laura Maria ^[1] ; Bonatelli, Maria Leticia ^[2] ; Abreu Pinto, Tatiana Castro ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Microbiol Paulo de Goes, Rio De Janeiro - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Super Agr Luiz de Queiroz, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOLOGY EDUCATION; v. 20, n. 1 APR 2019.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

Communication is fundamental in science. Among scientists, communication skills are required to write a comprehensible scientific manuscript or to prepare an attractive oral presentation. In addition, the ability to communicate successfully with the nonscientific community has been increasingly appreciated, as it represents the most effective way to promote popular scientific literacy. Nevertheless, students majoring in science-related courses are not trained specifically for these purposes, and improving communication skills usually depends on tips and advice given by peers. To this end, we have launched DivulgaMicro, an initiative that aims to enhance science communication among early-career scientists in Brazil. DivulgaMicro relies on two major cornerstones: providing online resources via a dedicated website (www.divulgamicro.com.br/index.html) and promoting onsite workshops in universities located in different macro regions of the country. On the website, people can access a collection of fun activities designed to teach scientific concepts to a general audience, along with tips and news regarding public outreach events in Brazil. In the month following its launch, our website had 1,026 visitors from 10 different countries besides Brazil. Regarding the workshops, six were offered during 2018, with nearly 600 attendees. In the course, scientists are presented best practices for scientific writing and oral presentations, as well as techniques to improve communication with lay audiences, such as the use of storytelling structure and analogies. There is a high demand for science communication resources in Brazil, attesting to the importance of initiatives such as DivulgaMicro in our country. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 17/18322-5 - Produção jornalística das pesquisas realizadas no Departamento de Genética da ESALQ/USP, com especial enfoque para o Laboratório de Genética de Microrganismos Prof. João Lúcio de Azevedo
• Beneficiário: Maria Leticia Bonatelli
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Programa Jornalismo Científico