We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Mónica Feliu-Mojer as our SWAC Science Communication Certificate Series Keynote Speaker for 2018. Mónica will speak at the Diversity in STEM Conference on March 23rd from 11:00 to 11:50 am at the Sonja Haynes Stone Center.

The conference runs from 9 am to 2 pm. We highly encourage you to stick around and enjoy some of the other events, but Mónica’s keynote address is the only requirement for the Certificate Series.

Please note: You should register to attend the conference here, even if you are only attending the keynote. SWAC will have a separate sign in during the event, so please don’t forget to sign in to receive credit towards the SWAC Science Communication Certificate. As a reminder, you must attend 4/6 events to earn the certificate.

Mónica grew up in rural Puerto Rico, catching lizards and with a cow in her backyard, which sparked her interest in all things biology. A PhD scientist-turned-communicator, she uses online technologies, storytelling, community-building, and cultural relevance to make science more accessible and inclusive. Her work focuses on empowering individuals, both scientists and non-experts, through bilingual science outreach, communication, education, and mentoring. Mónicais the Director of Communications & Science Outreach for Ciencia Puerto Rico, a non-profit organization democratizing science, supporting the career development of young scientists, and transforming science education and training in Puerto Rico. She is also Associate Director of Diversity & Communication Training for iBiology, a non-profit organization that produces and distributes free online videos about research, the process of science, and professional development featuring the world’s leading biologists. Mónica earned her B.S. in Human Biology at the University of Puerto Rico in Bayamón, and her Ph.D. in Neurobiology at Harvard University. You can find her on Twitter: @moefeliu.

We hope to see you at our other SWAC Science Communication Certificate Series events!

Careers in Science Editing

Date: Tuesday, March 20th from 3-4:30 pm

Location: MacNider Hall 21

Registration Link: http://tinyurl.com/yaf94pm2

Editing plays an important role in shaping how we as scientists communicate our stories.  If you have ever wondered how to be a more effective editor, or how you would even become an editor, you will want to join us as we hear from Lakshmi Goyal, Editor of Cell Host and Microbe.  Lakshmi has been an editor with Cell Press since 2001 and has many insights to share!  Come hear her interactive seminar on how she got her start in editing, what a typical day as an editor looks like, and important lessons she has learned throughout her successful career.

Worlds Collide with Science and Art

Date: Wednesday, April 11th from 2-3:30 pm

Location: Bondurant Hall, Room 2030

Registration Link: http://tinyurl.com/ycudf9dr

Some science stories are better told using art. Join us for a workshop showcasing the use of different types of art media to convey science to broad audiences. More details to come.

Writing Workshop: Inspiring Storytelling  

Date: April 17th from 2-3:30 pm

Location: TBA

Registration Link: http://tinyurl.com/yaf94pm2

This year, we are putting a spin on our traditional blog writing workshop with a theme on storytelling. Why is storytelling important in science communication? How does one tell a good story? How can we use our own stories and experiences to communicate science beyond traditional reporting? During this interactive workshop, participants will not only go over best writing practices, but learn how stories can play a big role in their own work, produce a story-based blog post, and have the option to publish on SWAC’s blog The Pipettepen!

New: Special Summer Event! SWAC will host 1 event in the summer months that will count towards the required attendance. More details to come. If you are only one event short of earning the certificate, keep this in mind!