UCalgary's Faculty of Science launches Science Communicator in Residence program

From media interviews to interdisciplinary projects to grant applications, there’s never been a greater need for scientists to understand and engage with their audiences.

That’s why the University of Calgary Faculty of Science has launched its inaugural Science Communicator in Residence program.

“There are so many reasons why this is a key priority for the Faculty of Science,” said Dr. Kristin Baetz, Dean of Science at UCalgary. “We are dedicated to serving Alberta in a world-class way with the power of science – and that starts with having truly engaging conversations about the work we’re doing, and why it matters.”

How to engage with mainstream audiences 

The inaugural Science Communicator in Residence is Dr. Mary Anne Moser, BSc’88, MA’82, PhD’05, who brings an exemplary track record to the role. She is the co-founder of Beakerhead, an annual science spectacle that has attracted attention around the globe, and she led the recent revitalization of TELUS Spark as its CEO. She was founder of the Banff Science Communications Program, an early leader in audience-focused science communications. Together with international colleagues, she has been a key part of the movement to encourage scientists to engage mainstream audiences in their work with creativity and confidence.

“It is so important for scientists to connect effectively with audiences, from journalists to future students to potential research partners,” said Dr. Moser. “As scientists, we are taught that the facts speak for themselves and to keep our personalities out of it, just like how we write academic papers. To be good science communicators, we have to unlearn some of that so that we can relate to our audience as storytellers.”

While the residency program is hosted through the Faculty of Science, webinars and other materials are open to anyone from the UCalgary community. Moser noted that the skills are applicable to other disciplines as well. “A lot of what we’re focusing on is broadly applicable to academics of any stripe. It is really about communicating complexity,” she said. 

Prior to the official launch of the Science Communicator in Residence program, the Faculty of Science’s marketing and communications team worked with Moser to start a library of resources, including webinar recordings, articles, and tip sheets. These are updated regularly and are accessible on the program’s website.

Break the boring scientist stereotype

Dr. Baetz, a systems microbiologist, became a strong advocate for science communication skills after attending a science communications workshop early in her career. “It’s not just about talking to the media or to colleagues in government, although that’s part of it,” she said. “It’s about how to effectively present your ideas, how to meaningfully collaborate with others, and how to write a better grant. These are skills that will directly enhance your work as a scientist.”

The next event in the Science Communicator in Residence series will take place at 12 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13. It’s a webinar entitled How Scientists Earn the Reputation for Being Boring (And How to Change It!). Attendees can register on the website.

“Research can be the greatest adventure story on Earth – in the hands of a good storyteller,” explained Moser. “Academic communications are often too long, too detailed and structured backwards for a lay audience. So in this webinar, we’re going to zero in on the structure and skills needed to break free of that ‘boring scientist’ stereotype.”

The webinar and other resources from the Science Communicator in Residence program are open to all members of the UCalgary community. More programming is scheduled throughout 2025, including a three-day intensive training workshop for faculty members in Science.