Effective Communication | Science Societies
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Effective Communication

Creating effective stories

People have trouble remembering facts, but they never forget a good story. Effective advocacy appeals to the heart, the head, and (political) health of the legislator. This 6 minute video describes the key elements of policy storytelling and walks participants through an exercise to develop their own personal story to move the hearts, minds, and VOTES of lawmakers.

Scientific Storytelling

Read the examples below to see how researchers adjusted how they talked about their research for a policy audience.

Sheep in a field

Original:
Birdsfoot trefoil is a valuable tannin-containing legume for mixed pastures with tall fescue; however, performance data on commercially available cultivars and the effect of the grass-legume mixture on below ground characteristics remains limited. My research evaluates the effects of combining birdsfoot trefoil condensed tannin and tall fescue on forage yield, quality, and soil biological activity. Combining birdsfoot trefoil and tall fescue can produce a high yielding, nutritious, stress-resistant forage mixture while providing important ecosystem services.

Updated:
Maintaining productive pasture land over the long term is a challenge for ranchers. While we know growing legumes in combination with forage grasses can help increase pasture productivity, more research is needed to determine which legumes provide the most benefits. My research evaluates how a candidate legume - birdsfoot trefoil - impacts forage yield, quality, and soil health.

Original:
Ample biodiversity in agroecosystems has shown to enhance various ecosystem services, such as increase plant yield and soil carbon sequestration. Many agricultural crops live with microbial symbionts, which can provide beneficial services to crops, like increased nutrient uptake. My research evaluates the ecosystem consequences of increasing symbiont diversity in a specific grass-fungal endophyte symbiosis.

Updated:
Ample biodiversity in agroecosystems leads to several benefits, such as increased plant yield and soil carbon sequestration. Many agricultural crops live with microbes, which can provide benefits to the crops. My research evaluates how increasing microbial diversity in forage grass improves soil carbon sequestration and nutrient uptake.

Person kneeling down in a field