It's happening @AlexGelle is leading the "Communicating science, it's more than writing a paper" #SciComm workshop.

Alex is a @mcgillu PhD candidate in chemistry and a science communicator, involved in initiatives such as @pintofscienceCA, @ComSciConQC & @ComSciConCAN!

How does the public benefit from science communication?
Discover how science is done (it is hard & slow, full of failures & dead-ends)
Ignite curiosity, learn new things
Stimulate critical thinking, challenge perspectives, encourage evidence-based decision-making

How do scientists benefit?
See the bigger picture
Make your voice heard, build trust in science
Often, #SciComm leads to media coverage, increasing paper citations and funding opportunities
Develop critical skills e.g. public speaking, leadership, project management

Alex says that scientists don't need to wait until their next paper to share science. She cites two recent pieces (), making the case that scientists need to do a better job of communicating.

CBC ( https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/science-survey-1.5291291)
& @heysciencesam here https://medium.com/@samanthazy/people-are-interested-in-science-we-just-need-to-hold-the-door-open-aa994dd2687c

"If you don't see yourself, we need you," says @AlexGelle, highlighting the importance of representation in #SciComm.

She cites examples: @mcmsharksxx & @AnaMaPorras's recent paper ( https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2020.00031/full) & @HajerNakua, a bilingual science communicator (English, Arabic).

Alex is sharing different ways for scientists to get involved science communication, including the Three Minute Thesis competition, the Dance Your PhD contest (w/ a shout-out to past winner @PramodhYapa!) & @NSERC_CRSNG's Science, Action! contest (past winner @rebecca_yardley).

Additional examples from Alex
Based around McGill University: @science_broads, @SciCommArt, @McGillChemOut, @BrainReach
Outreach & public engagement: @NerdNiteYVR, @EBTSOYP, @pintofscienceCA, @SkypeScientist, @scilitweek, @LetsTalkScience

What about science writing? Alex suggests pursuing:
Student-run newspapers (with a shout-out to @vindhya_kolluru!)
@massivesci ( https://massivesci.com/consortium/ )
Outlets such as The Conversation, the ScienceBites series (e.g. @astrobites) or even starting your own blog

There's no end to the different #SciComm avenues to pursue! Alex points out that there is podcasting (e.g. @ScienceSucksPod!) various formats centred around storytelling (e.g. @scislamCA) & #SciArt, such as @AmandaOVeri's petri dish art & @Thepurplelilac's science crocheting.

It's time for #scipol Alex shouts out various groups in Canada (including @DSP_SPE, @TOSciPolicyNet, @CofactorBC, @E4Dca, @ChiefSciCan's Youth Council), and recommends to check out each group to learn more about how to get involved or to stay in the loop.

Don't forget about social media! This involves:
Sharing science on Instagram, like @heysciencesam
Writing out a 'tweetorial' on Twitter about your new paper, like @PeterSoroye ( https://twitter.com/PeterSoroye/status/1225499278396862466)
Tweeting regularly, like @kiyoun_k & @celia_du_'s #SciCommSunday

There are some #SciComm courses scattered across Canada, including a program at Laurentian University ( @LUSciComm)
Alex also points out that science communication can be a full-time job too, listing various funding sources, such as @NSERC_CRSNG's Student Ambassador grants.

To end this jam-packed #SciComm workshop, Alex says:
There is room for everyone: each voice is unique & valuable
Put yourself out there - as scientists, you should experiment!
Empathy is key for good communication
Facts won't win, storytelling will