RP Bower

MS in Life Sciences Communications from UW-Madison. Communications Coordinator at the Wisconsin DNR. Opinions my own.

#ScienceCommunication #StrategicComms

[RP Bower @RPBower]

@tweeterjurich When I moved back to the US from Germany, I couldn't remember the word umbrella. I called it a "rain shield" in conversations for a solid three days before anyone asked what I meant. Everyone else just started using the term "rain shield" with me.

[RP Bower @RPBower]

@IamDonStanley. What about social media? Any thoughts on how to use humor on social media?

[RP Bower @RPBower]

@tweeterjurich, you know more than me about using humor.

Got any advice for folks about using humor to communicate science?

I personally like to start with photos and build from there. A humorous photo can set a good tone for the message and hook readers.

[RP Bower @RPBower]

@LaurenSHallion Wow, this is awesome!

I made a weaker version of this during grad school to keep these concepts organized, but this version is SO much better.

Was worth taking the time to zoom in! Thanks

[RP Bower @RPBower]

@tweeterjurich I miss doing original sci comm research too. There are so many ideas I still want to look in to if I get the opportunity.

For example, I'd love to learn more about how different polarized audiences (across multiple science topics) respond to a gambit of communication tactics.

[RP Bower @RPBower]

@tweeterjurich haha I tend to focus on topics that have difficult audiences, so it is fascinating to hear your take on favorable and neutral audiences.

Out of curiosity, have you made any jokes about science for a show? How did they play out?

[RP Bower @RPBower]

@tweeterjurich That is exactly the type of thing I am looking for!

From what you are saying, you often work with a favorable audience in comedy, one who is eager to create a positive relationship with you. What about for neutral or hostile audiences? How would you plan a comedy set for those?

[RP Bower @RPBower]

@brossardd or @scheufele. Has SCIMEP done any research on using humor to communicate science?

Do either of you have any thoughts about the intersection of humor and science? @tweeterjurich and I have been discussing it a bit the last few days.

[RP Bower @RPBower]

@tweeterjurich I really like how you phrased that, Peter. "People are only going to laugh at someone who they trust to make them laugh."

When you did stand-up comedy, did you have any tricks to build trust with new audiences? Maybe there is something we can take away.

[RP Bower @RPBower]

@scheufele @brossardd @theNASEM Just signed up! Looking forward to it.

[RP Bower @RPBower]

@katielynngrant Definitely looking forward to reading tweets about it!

[RP Bower @RPBower]

@brossardd @3rhinomedia Yes please. It would be fun to catch up with both of you!

[RP Bower @RPBower]

Happy birthday shout out to a man who taught me a lot during grad school and whose conversations always bring a smile to my face! @3rhinomedia

[RP Bower @RPBower]

And my favorite line from Dominique Brossard...
"We need citizens to be part of those conversations.”

[RP Bower @RPBower]

Wow... Some really interesting points to think about.

We collectively should think about this finding means.
"...isolation could weaken the participation in and effectiveness of outreach programs that meet university missions and the goals of the scientific community at large."

[dominique brossard @brossardd]

Land-grant faculty prioritize public engagement, but feel isolated #scicomm https://t.co/hcNyXFyqIh via @uwmadison

[RP Bower @RPBower]

“We don’t have the luxury of avoiding public engagement,' says Brossard. 'Science is moving very fast. We are talking about things such as gene drives to control pests, human gene editing, and artificial intelligence that are moving way faster than our ability to regulate them."

[RP Bower @RPBower]

@3rhinomedia Happy to! Lots for each of us to catch up on.

[RP Bower @RPBower]

@aaeichmeier "Thinking of politics is a luxury."

Preach, April.

[RP Bower @RPBower]

Part of why I am rereading Aurthur Lupia's book, Uninformed, is for gems like this.

"...many critics scold citizens for not knowing things that, while important for their own lines of work, have little or no value to those who have different roles."

[RP Bower @RPBower]

Awesome to see scientists taking care of their mental health!

What are some of the hobbies that you all have?
Mine are rock climbing, cycling, and languages.

[Science Magazine @ScienceMagazine]

How can being a rock climber (or a baker, or a stand-up comedian, or...) make you a better researcher?

Scientists share their thoughts (and their hobbies) in this #NextGenSci: https://t.co/v8JoesyzJ2