The Key Visual Communication Skill Sets That Every Fisheries Scientist Should Have

This talk will provide an overview on the growing importance of visual communication in science. NOAA’s Office of Science and Technology, the primary point of science coordination for fisheries, has a prominent web presence. The audience for this site consists of researchers, educators, policymakers, and the general public. As part of the growing realization of the importance of science communication, the office underwent a cultural shift to include communication as a part of daily business. This talk will focus on considering new approaches to conveying scientific information to diverse audiences. It will discuss why a paradigm shift is necessary to effectively present scientific information and will also address the challenges an office faced when changing the way it approached science communication. Finally, the presentation will offer some practical guidance to help scientists improve the way they present their work.