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Strategic Communication for Sustainability Leaders

William “Bill” Dennison and Richard Arnold

Effective science communicators are in short supply during a time of unprecedented environmental challenges. As policy-makers, businesses, and communities seek solutions, the need for science communication skills will only grow. In this course, you will not only learn how to identify the tools of science communication, but will be able critique, refine, and develop them.

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Effective science communicators are in short supply during a time of unprecedented environmental challenges. As policy-makers, businesses, and communities seek solutions, the need for science communication skills will only grow. In this course, you will not only learn how to identify the tools of science communication, but will be able critique, refine, and develop them.

Any leader understands that data is the underpinning of competent decision-making. Complex systems require that data be presented in a clear and accessible format. You will learn to construct easy-to-interpret data visualizations that will enable you to build consensus and facilitate decisions across a broad spectrum of stakeholders.

Data tells us a story. Articulating and messaging this data-driven narrative to communicate the latest research is a key skill for any manager. You will learn to use proven techniques to develop such narratives so that you can effectively communicate complex data-sets to any audience.

Cogent science communication requires the effective integration of a captivating and accessible narrative with appealing multimedia data visualizations. These two new skills are the foundation for telling a larger story. Compelling “stories” are a proven approach to explain complex problems, involve the target audience, and motivate diverse stakeholders to work toward change.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to identify and critique features of science communication products that utilize effective visualization and narrative techniques.
  • How to produce appealing data visualization that avoid ‘chart junk’ or ‘map clutter’.
  • How to articulate a succinct, captivating narrative using the ‘and, but, therefore’ template.
  • How to develop a compelling science communication product that integrates best-practice visualizations and concise narrative.

Syllabus

Module 1:
Why is science communication important?
Iconic science communicators
The science behind science communication
Read more
What makes a good story?
Who are you talking to?
Narrative structure
Module 2:
Data Visualization Part 1
Data Visualization Part 2
10 Classic Conceptual Diagrams
10 IAN Conceptual Diagrams
10 Classic maps
Module 3:
Storyboarding
Active titles
Storyboarding Process
Project Management
Seven Elements of Layout and Design
Layout and Design Examples
Critique and Review
Module 4:
Color Theory
Color Theory Basics
Color in Science Communication
Symbols and Diagrams
Symbols
Conceptual Diagram Creation
Conceptual Diagram Examples
Module 5:
Science Writing vs. Science Communication
Science Communication Products
Photos in Science Communication
Videos in Science Communication
Assembling a Scientific Presentation
Presentation Preparation
Delivering a Presentation

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Save Strategic Communication for Sustainability Leaders to your list so you can find it easily later:
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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Strategic Communication for Sustainability Leaders with these activities:
Review 'Resonate' by Nancy Duarte
Learn how to craft compelling narratives that resonate with your audience.
View Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read 'Resonate' and take notes on key concepts.
  • Identify examples of resonant presentations.
  • Apply Duarte's principles to a past presentation.
Review 'Storytelling with Data' by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic
Learn how to create compelling data visualizations that tell a story.
View Storytelling with Data: A Data Visualization... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read 'Storytelling with Data' and note key principles.
  • Critique existing data visualizations using the book's framework.
  • Redesign a data visualization to improve its clarity.
Practice 'And, But, Therefore' (ABT) Narrative
Reinforce the ABT narrative structure to create concise and compelling stories.
Show steps
  • Choose a scientific paper abstract.
  • Summarize the abstract using the ABT template.
  • Refine the ABT statement for clarity.
  • Repeat with different abstracts.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Data Visualization Critique
Apply visualization principles by critiquing existing science communication visuals.
Show steps
  • Find a data visualization online.
  • Analyze its strengths and weaknesses.
  • Write a short critique of the visualization.
  • Suggest improvements to the visualization.
Design a Conceptual Diagram
Practice creating conceptual diagrams to communicate complex environmental concepts.
Show steps
  • Choose an environmental process.
  • Identify key components and relationships.
  • Sketch a conceptual diagram.
  • Refine the diagram for clarity.
Develop a Science Communication Portfolio
Showcase your skills by creating a portfolio of science communication products.
Show steps
  • Identify a sustainability issue to focus on.
  • Create a data visualization related to the issue.
  • Write a narrative explaining the visualization.
  • Assemble the visualization and narrative into a portfolio.
Write a Science Communication Blog Post
Practice writing clear and engaging science communication for a general audience.
Show steps
  • Choose a sustainability topic.
  • Research the topic and find relevant data.
  • Write a blog post explaining the topic.
  • Include a data visualization in the post.

Career center

Learners who complete Strategic Communication for Sustainability Leaders will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Strategic Communication for Sustainability Leaders.
Cover image
Storytelling with Data
Save
Provides a practical guide to data visualization and storytelling. It covers principles of effective chart design, highlighting key insights, and crafting a narrative around data. 'Storytelling with Data' valuable resource for creating clear and persuasive data visualizations. It is commonly used as a textbook and reference by professionals.
Storytelling with Data: A Data Visualization Guide...
Paperback
$$
Daphne Draws Data: A Storytelling with Data...
Hardcover
$$
Storytelling with Data: Let's Practice!
Paperback
$$
storytelling with data podcast
Podcast
Check Price
(Deutsch) Storytelling mit Daten: Die Grundlagen der...
Paperback
$$
(Italiano) Data storytelling: generare valore dalla...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Resonate
Save
Focuses on crafting compelling presentations that resonate with audiences. It emphasizes storytelling techniques and visual communication, aligning perfectly with the course's focus on narrative and data visualization. 'Resonate' provides a framework for structuring presentations to create emotional connections and drive action. It is highly relevant for developing impactful science communication products.
Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform...
Paperback
$$
(中文) Communication: the story resonate with(Chinese...
Paperback
$$$
(Deutsch) resonate: oder wie Sie mit packenden Storys und...
Paperback
$$
Communicate with resonate empathy (Korean Edition)
Paperback
$$$
Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform...
Kindle Edition
$$

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Effort
5 to 8 hours per week for 5 weeks
Level
Introductory
Via
edX
Institutions
University System of Maryland
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
Instructors
William “Bill” Dennison
Richard Arnold
Session
January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Language
English
Transcripts
English Español tl
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