Happy 3rd day of #BlackInSciComm Week!

The NPR Scicommers community is dedicated to inclusivity and accessibility in science communication.

@melliferocity will be live-tweeting the workshop on accessibility, inclusion, and representation starting NOW!

#BISCRepresentation https://twitter.com/BlackInSciComm/status/1313263103933657089

Being the best science communicator you can be includes understanding inclusivity, representation, and how to create make your message as accessible to ALL of your audience!

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

The workshop today is with with Rackeb Tesfaye @RackebT and Kimberly Gardner @Kim_RoadtoPhD and moderated by @Calimari93

These speakers are FANTASTIC science communicators and role models! #BISCRoleModels

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

A practice for online accessibility is CAPTIONING! @BlackInSciComm has a link to all workshops with captioning and will also have #Transcriptions available for all uploaded recordings.

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

The workshop will include

1. Context - Why #InclusiveSciComm
2. Putting Theory into Practice
3. Reflection/ Q&A

I'll do my best to capture it ALL!!

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

Workshop host @Kim_RoadtoPhD co-organized the Jersey City Americans with Disabilities Act 30th Anniversary event and the ASL interpretation for those events

@RackebT is an advocate for inclusive SciComm & Training for students

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

@RackebT uses audio storytelling to make science inclusive, engaging, and intersectional with Broad Science @science_broads

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

@science_broads has Audio Documentaries that reframe the narrative around marginalized communities.

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

@science_broads has a Youth Program that trains future science journalists and provides a safe space beyond the classroom to explore their curiosity

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

and @science_broads has Storytelling evenings -- scientists telling personal stories.
Challenging the stereotypes of WHO is a science and highlighting the connections we all have with science

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

@science_broads works to REFLECT on the systems and institutions that have the POWER to produce and spread scientific knowledge to ENGAGE meaningfully with the public.

What a GREAT initiative!

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

Science communication is CENTRAL to our democracy!

Context - attitudes and perceptions of our audiences and scientists shape our communication plans and their effectiveness

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

How do we improve the disconnect between the public and scientists?

Perceived knowledge about science varies widely by region and gender.

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

There is so much CONTEXT that you should take into account when learning about your audience and how they may perceive/ trust science:

examples:
household income
political & religious affiliation
subject matter
familiarity with science

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

More information on the public's trust in science (U.S.A. focused data)

https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2019/08/02/trust-and-mistrust-in-americans-views-of-scientific-experts/

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

We build up a #ScienceCapital that can increase participation, engagement, and positive perceptions in science.

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

#ScienceCaptial increases along these broad categories.

What you know - science literacy
How you think - attitudes and values
What you do - everyday STEM engagement
Who you know -Parent STEM engagement

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

Increased #ScienceCapital can increase how you identify and see yourself in science (your #ScienceIdentity) even without you being in a STEM field explicitly

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

Science Communication gives the public ACCESS to tools that helps them feel more confident in their OWN ABILITIES to engage in science, especially in times of information uncertainty

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

Don't run away from uncertainty! Uncertainty is part of life, failure is part of science!

"I don't know," IS an answer. As scientists, acknowledging what you don't know goes a long way with helping the public relate to and trust you

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

On Belonging in Science and why marginalized communities distrust science.

Part of being a science communicator is understanding that while you may feel like you belong, others don't.

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

Having a social justice mindset to your science communication plan is imperative.

Science communication not about giving information and leaving, it's about UNDERSTANDING the spaces you work in and making them inclusive beyond your engagement

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

Questions to ask yourself:

Am I the person to occupy this space?
Who should I partner with and provide resources to?
Who am I highlighting and how?

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

Accessibility considerations

1. paywalls - people can't engage with that they can't afford to see. Consider open access platforms, having free slots to for-pay webinars

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

Accessibility considerations

2. WHERE is your audience? What platforms are they on? What technology are they using?

Meet them where they are!

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

Accessibility considerations
3. Jargon - don't keep your audience at arms length by using vocabulary that only you understand!

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

Accessibility considerations
4. Language - Science and science communication are English-dominated.

Consider translating your work and collaborating with non-English science communicators. You increase your reach and make connections!

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

Accessibility considerations
5. Transcribing & closed captioning - @science_braods uses transcription and closed captioning software!

I didn't catch the names, but will update ASAP

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

Accessibility considerations
6. Internet Access - we've noticed how shady internet connections can be! Consider your audience's internet access, whether it may be slow or non-existent.

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

On Alternative Text from @Kim_RoadtoPhD

Use for: thumbnails, promotional images, flyers, and personal images on social media

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

Alt-text and image descriptions make your content accessible for screen-reading tools to describe images.

Start implementing them into your science communication content! Make alt-text and image descriptions the new norm.

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

@Kim_RoadtoPhD has so many tips on using alt-text and image descriptions across social media platforms (twitter, facebook, and instagram).

Be sure to check out the recording of this webinar to get detailed instructions!

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

On Capitalization:

Screen readers will read hashtags as a long phrase -- CAPITALIZE the first letter of each word in your hashtags.

Also DEFINE your acronyms before you condense them.

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

On Closed Captioning to provide additional or interpretive information to your audience.

Consider adding Closed captioning to:
YouTube videos
Google Slides
SciComm videos
Zoom meeting
Social media videos

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

Closed captioning will have mistakes, but it's better than not having!

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

Side note from Tyler ( @Melliferocity): I've been using closed-caption on everything I can since I was learning to read.

Do y'all use closed captioning? My shows feel like they're missing something when I can't also see the words.

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

On ASL Interpretation:

Don't make it an afterthought!

Factor it into your budget and plan for TWO interpreters if the event is an hour or longer to account for interpreter muscle fatigue.

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

On Translations:

Top non-English languages in USA are Spanish, French, and Arabic.

Language is a BARRIER in science communication.

How many of you can explain your research in more than one language?

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

On Translations:

Consider captioning your work in another language!

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

Consider color-blindness in your scientific visualizations.

A good tip: Make sure your visualization can get the information across in grayscale.

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

The NPR Scicommers Slack community has a specific Visual Science Communication channel for more discussion on inclusive data visualization.

JOIN US to get in on the conversation

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

Our Mentor Chat series brought in @SunshineMenezes July 2019 to talk about #InclusiveSciComm and @Hood_Biologist Sept 2020 to give a primer on centering #AntiRacism in our science communication plans.

The recordings of these sessions are available in our Slack