[Nhcoll-l] Writing for Impact and Influence: An AIBS Professional Development Program

[Jyotsna Pandey]

Dear Colleague,

There is a growing recognition of the importance of providing scientists,
particularly graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, with professional
development training that will expand their career opportunities and
potential for professional success.  The American Institute of Biological
Sciences (AIBS) is pleased to announce a professional development program
that we have developed to help scientists strengthen their written
communication
skills.

This is an important professional development training opportunity.  I hope
you will consider sharing this opportunity with your students, staff, and
colleagues.

Below are more specific details about this online course, including
registration information.

*Writing for Impact and Influence: An AIBS Professional Development Program*

*It is perfectly okay to write garbage—as long as you edit brilliantly. *
-C. J. Cherryh

The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) has heard a common
refrain from faculty, scientists, government and private sector executives,
and everyone in between: Scientists are losing the ability to communicate
effectively in writing. The concern is not just about how well a scientific
manuscript is drafted, but also about how routine business and public
engagement information are communicated.

AIBS is responding by re-offering our professional development program
designed to help scientists, including graduate students, hone their
written communication
skills to increase the impact and influence of their message. This course
complements AIBS's highly successful Communications Boot Camp for
Scientists, which focuses on oral communication.

Writing for Impact and Influence provides practical instruction and
hands-on exercises that will improve the participant's general writing
proficiency.
The program will provide participants with the skills and tools needed to
compose scientific press releases, blog posts, emails, and memoranda, with
a focus on the reader experience. Each product-oriented session will have
an assignment to be completed independently, with feedback from the
instructor. The course is interactive, and participants are encouraged to
ask questions and exchange ideas with the instructor and other participants.

*Who Should Take the Course?*

   - Individuals interested in furthering their professional development by
   augmenting their writing skills.
   - Graduate students and early-career professionals interested in
   increasing their marketability to employers.
   - Individuals interested in more effectively informing and influencing
   segments of the public, supervisors, policymakers, reporters,
   organizational leaders, and others.

*Topics*

   - Press releases and writing for the media
   - Blogging and social media campaigns
   - E-Correspondence and writing for professional audiences
   - One-pagers and writing for stakeholders
   - Action/decision memoranda and writing for diverse professional
   audiences
   - Synthesis
   - Participant Requirements
   - Internet access, email account, and computer audio and video
   capabilities.

*Course Structure*
The course consists of six 90-minute online modules conducted live and
subsequently archived online for participant review. Modules are spaced at
weekly intervals to allow time for assignment completion. Live attendance
is recommended but not required, and the instructor can be contacted by
email at any time during the course.

*Assignments*
A writing assignment will be given in each of the first five courses.
Students will receive timely feedback on their assignments.

*Certificate of Completion*
Individuals who actively participate in and complete the full course will
receive a certificate recognizing that they have completed a nine-hour
professional development course on business writing for scientists.

*Schedule*
The course will begin on Thursday, 9 July 2020. The subsequent course
sessions will be held weekly on Thursdays, through 13 August. All live
courses will begin at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time. Recorded programs will be
available to participants after the live session.

*Registration*
Space is limited and the course will be filled on a first-come,
first-served basis. Registration is required.

To register for the course, go to http://io.aibs.org/writing

For questions regarding the course please contact James Verdier at
jverdier at aibs.org.

Sincerely,

Jyotsna Pandey, Ph.D.
Public Policy Manager
American Institute of Biological Sciences
1201 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 420
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-628-1500 x 225

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