ISMRM21 - Public Engagement: The Power of Storytelling

Public Engagement: The Power of Storytelling

Member-Initiated Symposium

Wednesday, 19 May 2021

Concurrent 8

12:00 - 14:00

Moderators: Carinne Piekema & Alex Smith

Session Number: MIS-13

Parent Session: Public Engagement: The Power of Storytelling

Session Number:MIS-13

Organizers
Natalya Buxbaum, Carinne Piekema, Alex Smith

Overview
Our science is great, but can anyone outside our field understand it? Being able to present our work to a wide variety of audiences is a skill that we should recognise and promote within the society. Importantly, many major funding bodies, including the Wellcome Trust in the UK and the National Institute of Health in the US, increasingly require a layperson’s description of the proposed research. However, making our science accessible for the public is not the only objective for engaging. Presenting to different audiences allows scientists to more accurately represent their work to the public, increase public interest, and generate enthusiasm in the next generation of scientists.
The aim of this symposium is twofold: we want to provide an opportunity for young scientists to gain confidence presenting their research to a lay audience, as well as promote the ISMRM’s mission to the public. To this end, the first half of the symposium will be dedicated to education: describing methods and experiences to more effectively engage the public. The last half of the symposium will put these methods into practice for our early career researchers: we will host the 3rd Annual Magnetic Moments competition, where finalists will present a 3-minute explanation of their research to a non-specialist audience. Importantly, this symposium aligns with the ISMRM’s 2018 Strategic Plan to promote effective public engagement and outreach within the society.

Target Audience
Scientists and clinicians interested in developing effective public engagement and outreach activities.

Educational Objectives
As a result of attending this course, participants should be able to:
Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to: - Explain the importance of effective communication with a wide variety of audiences; - Demonstrate how to use simplified analogues to explain complicated MRI concepts; - Show more confidence presenting their research to a wide variety of audiences; and - Describe different methods of engagement to connect with audiences.

			Engaging Audiences: Moving from the Lab Bench to the Park Bench Derek Jones Cardiff University
			Coaching Session Robert Holtom Robert Holtom, Narrative Coach
			3rd Annual Magnetic Moments Competition Finalist Competitors Various