Science and Society
For science to benefit humanity, we must support more than research itself. The Kavli Foundation is committed to ensuring the people, processes and products of science contribute meaningfully to society. Read more about our work at kavlifoundation.org/science-and-society.
Kavli SciComm Essentials
Expand your skills in public engagement and science communication through a suite of virtual offerings. From media training and data visualization to relationship building and inclusion, there is something for everyone .
These events are open to anyone affiliated with a Kavli Institute – graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and staff are invited to join.
Announcing the Fall 2023 Program:
Registration is now open for all Fall 2023 Events.
Webinars are virtual lectures with an opportunity for audience Q&A
Interactive Trainings are virtual sessions that will require active participation, discussion, and group work
Download the full
Fall 2023 Kavli SciComm Essentials Program
How to Give a Good Talk
Dr. Thi Nguyen
1.5 HOUR WEBINAR
Tuesday, September 12, 2023 | 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET
Learn to clearly present your data, the art of good slide design, how to connect with your audience, and identify your goals and core message.
Perspectives from Science Journalists
Led by Liminal Creations, featuring Ed Yong and Dr. Maddie Sofia
1.5 HOUR WEBINAR REGISTER HERE
Thursday, September 28, 2023 | 10 AM PT / 2 PM ET
Join journalists Ed Yong and Maddie Sofia to hear what they wish every scientist knew before the interview began. This open discussion will explain expectations and norms in science journalism, as well as specific tactics to help you say what need to say as effectively as possible. This webinar will not be recorded.
How to Share Your Science Through Story
Led by The Story Collider
1 HOUR WEBINAR REGISTER HERE
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 | 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET
Learn the science of storytelling and fundamentals of constructing and sharing compelling personal narratives about science.
The Power of Narrative
Led by The Story Collider
4 HOUR INTERACTIVE TRAINING REGISTER HERE
Thursday, October 26, 2023 | 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET
Hone your ability to develop and deliver a true personal story about science through interactive activities and small group practice.
From Intention to Impact: Ways to measure and evaluate strategic science engagement
Catalyst Consulting Group and Dr. Xinnan Du
1.5 HOUR WEBINAR REGISTER HERE
Tuesday, November 7, 2023 | 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET
Learn how intentional design and choosing the right tactics can set your science engagement up for impact. Learn about evaluating progress towards your goals.
Correction to Connection: Effective strategies for addressing misinformation about science
American Physical Society
1.5 HOUR WEBINAR REGISTER HERE
Monday, November 20, 2023 | 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET
Learn about how misinformation spreads and effective, research-based techniques for addressing misinformation about science.
Social Media for Basic Scientists
Dr. Virginia Schutte
1.5 HOUR WEBINAR REGISTER HERE
Monday, December 11, 2023 | 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET
Learn about using social media for meaningful impact through discussions on using social media to achieve career goals, privacy issues, dealing with trolls and more.
Kavli SciComm Essentials Certificate
Through the Kavli SciComm Essentials Certificate program, The Kavli Foundation will honor the time and effort Kavli community members make when they participate in Kavli SciComm Essentials.
Eligibility for this Certificate will require participation at least six Kavli SciComm Essentials events and full details can be found here.
Kavli SciComm Essentials Certificate: Information and Requirements
To ensure you hear about new and upcoming events, please join our mailing list by emailing Science.and.Society@kavlifoundation.org. Please note this list is only for Kavli Institute affiliates.

Dr. Jeanne Garbarino hosts the Kavli SciComm Essentials series. Dr. Garbarino is a leading public engagement with science expert. In her role as Executive Director of Science Outreach at RockEDU, she works with faculty at The Rockefeller University, including members of the Kavli Neural Systems Institute.
Kavli SciComm Essentials: 2023 Webinars
How to Give a Good Talk
Do you want to learn how to give a better talk – to help your teaching, your science communication, and more?Are you interested in creating meaningful and memorable interactions centered on science? Watch this webinar with Thi Nguyen to learn how to identify your goals, audiences, core message, ‘so what?’ and distill your message. You will leave this workshop knowing how to clearly present your data, the art of good slide design, and how to better connect with your audience.
Insights into How People Learn
The Power of Personal Experience
Do you want to better understand how people learn – to help your teaching, your science communication, and more? Are you interested in creating meaningful and memorable interactions centered on science? Watch this webinar with Eve Klein and Anna Johnson of Portal to the Public to explore how appreciating and integrating lived experience – yours and others – will improve your science communication and public engagement work.
Identifying Concrete Communication Goals to Increase Impact
The Power of Personal Experience
Do you want to learn to maximize your impact when sharing your science by defining and executing clear public engagement goals? Experts Dr. John Besley, Dr. Anthony Dudo, and Sarah Garlick explore why science communication goals matter, and provide a defined process for identifying your personal goals and tools to apply them to your communication practice for the greatest impact.
Modern Science Deserves Modern SciComm
An Evidence-Based Approach to Sharing Your Science
Over the last few years, we have seen mind-blowing innovations in the laboratory, field, and clinic. As science continues to modernize, so too should our communication.
In this webinar, Dr. Jeanne Garbarino discusses how the widespread traditional approach needs some renovation in order to respond to our modern times – it’s time to evolve from transactional to transformative! Watch to develop your evidence-based approach to public engagement and learn to apply modern techniques to create meaningful connections with audiences, ranging from grant reviewers to family members.
Connecting with Diverse Audiences
An Overview of Culturally Relevant Science Communication
Do you want to learn how to make connections about science with audiences from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences? This session explores how appreciating and integrating cultural context – yours and others’ – will improve your science communication and public engagement work.
Join Dr. Mónica Feliú-Mójer in this webinar as she introduces culturally relevant science communication and explores how it can be a tool for connecting and engaging with diverse audiences in effective and inclusive ways.
Kavli SciComm Essentials Library
Want to learn more?
Find more information on these themes and more in our Kavli SciComm Essentials Library of webinars: find info on public engagement with science, science communication and more here!
Interested in strengthening your science communication and public engagement foundation? Watch these previous sessions to learn more and hone your skills!
Building a Community: Mobilizing your Peers and Leveraging your Resources
Culturally Relevant Science Communication
Data Visualization
Understanding People’s Relationship with Science: A Conversation with Polling and Survey Experts
Sensemaking 101: Your Public Engagement Action Plan
Media Interviews (please email Science.and.Society@kavlifoundation.org for access)
Interested in learning about earning, building, and keeping trust in science? Watch these previous sessions to learn more about the current research and best practices!
The desire to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in science often manifests as public engagement. In the spirit of scientific inquiry, we must ask: How do we know if our engagement efforts actually impact DEI in a positive way? Watch these sessions to learn more!
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Public Engagement with Science: Connections between Research and Practice
Building a Community: Mobilizing your Peers and Leveraging your Resources
A Compassionate Scientist’s Toolkit
Exploring Americans’ Motivations for and Barriers to Engaging with Science
Culturally Relevant Science Communication
Are you looking for guidance on putting what you’ve learned into practice? These sessions will help you take action!
Building a Community: Mobilizing your Peers and Leveraging your Resources
Sensemaking 101: Your Public Engagement Action Plan
Media Interviews (please email Science.and.Society@kavlifoundation.org for access)
Kavli SciComm Essentials: Events from Prior Years
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Public Engagement with Science: Connections between Research and Practice
The desire to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in science often manifests as public engagement. In the spirit of scientific inquiry, we must ask: How do we know if our engagement efforts actually impact DEI in a positive way?
Jeanne Garbarino moderated this captivating discussion that took a critical look at how public engagement does—and does not—uphold diversity, equity, and inclusion, with Angela Calabrese Barton, Rick Crouse and Matthew Bothwell.
Building a Community: Mobilizing your Peers and Leveraging your Resources
This webinar explored how scientists build community by motivating their colleagues and capitalizing on existing resources to strengthen their science engagement.
Jeanne Garbarino moderated this discussion with Susan Renoe, Susan Magsamen, and César Vargas.
Understanding People’s Relationship with Science:
A Conversation with Polling and Survey Experts
While polls have shown us that Americans maintain a positive view of both science and scientists, scientists express concern about eroding trust in science against the backdrop of issues like vaccines and climate change.
Here, we heard from Chris Volpe and Cary Funk, two experts who are working to understand the intersection of science and society at a national level. They shared trends and new data, provided insights on burning questions about people’s trust in science, and participated in a discussion on the incredible nuance around engaging our many publics in science, and how this information can help inform engagement strategies.