Thread by @joesbigidea, Happy 3rd day of #BlackInSciComm Week!The NPR Scicommers community is dedicated to [...]

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">https://twitter.com/BlackInSc...

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& #39;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& #39;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/

https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2... href="https://twtext.com//hashtag/BlackInSciComm"> #BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

Trust and Mistrust in Americans’ Views of Scientific Experts

Public confidence in scientists is on the upswing, and six-in-ten Americans say scientists should play an active role in policy debates about scientific issues, according to a new Pew Research Center...

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

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& #39;t run away from uncertainty! Uncertainty is part of life, failure is part of science!

"I don& #39;t know," IS an answer. As scientists, acknowledging what you don& #39;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& #39;t.

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

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

Science communication not about giving information and leaving, it& #39;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& #39;t engage with that they can& #39;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& #39;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& #39;t catch the names, but will update ASAP

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

Accessibility considerations
6. Internet Access - we& #39;ve noticed how shady internet connections can be! Consider your audience& #39;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& #39;s better than not having!

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

Side note from Tyler ( @Melliferocity): I& #39;ve been using closed-caption on everything I can since I was learning to read.

Do y& #39;all use closed captioning? My shows feel like they& #39;re missing something when I can& #39;t also see the words.

#BlackInSciComm #BISCRepresentation

On ASL Interpretation:

Don& #39;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

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