32. Making Sci Comm Training Stick: Brendon Bosworth on finding the right training approach for your team

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Written By Chris Pahlow

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Episode show notes

Looking to implement communication training that creates lasting change? Communication specialist Brendon Bosworth shares practical insights on choosing the right trainer, designing effective programs, and embedding communication skills in your research team.

Brendon Bosworth is a science communication trainer and principal consultant at Human Element Communications. He works with leading international organisations, research institutes, and universities including the UN Environment Program, FAO, and the University of Cape Town to make research on topics of global concern more accessible to non-specialists.

"My encouragement here is to really make science communication part of your mandate and your vision so that it's woven into the institutional way of doing things right from the start." -- Brendon Bosworth

Whether you're a research leader looking to build your team's communication capacity or an individual researcher seeking to develop your skills, this episode offers practical advice on making training work for the long term.

Our conversation covers:

  • How to choose the right trainer and training approach for your needs

  • The four S's framework: Strategy, Simplicity, Storytelling, and Solutions

  • Why most one-off workshops don't create lasting change

  • Tailoring communication training to your organization's goals

  • The importance of practice and ongoing support

  • Building science communication into organizational culture

  • Creating internal networks to maintain momentum

  • Practical ways to keep developing skills after training

Find Brendon Bosworth online:

Practical tips from this episode:

  • Choose the right training approach:

    • "The more tailored a science communication training can be to the needs of the client, the better."

    • Consider what formats and channels will best serve your goals

    • Do background work to understand your needs before investing in training

    • Consider starting with a smaller pilot program to test approaches

    • If budget is limited, start with key people who can then train others

    • Start with simple tools everyone already has access to - "We all nowadays have a multimedia recording and producing studio in our pockets with our cell phones"

    • Don't try to cover too many formats/mediums at once - focus on mastering one approach first

  • Choose the right trainer:

    • Look for trainers who can provide ongoing support

    • Look for someone who can tailor their approach to your needs

    • Consider both online and in-person options

    • Think about geographical location but don't let it limit you - "We really are in a time where you can bring in expertise that is not located in your country"

  • Design for sustainability:

    • Identify communication champions in your team. "Look for those champions, those people in the training that really respond and are keen to do the science communication work, and see how they can organise into some sort of group or team that can carry science communication forward."

    • Create regular opportunities to practice

    • Build supportive peer networks

  • Focus on practical skills:

    • Start with clear, achievable goals

    • Build in regular practice sessions

    • Use available tools and technology

    • "Everything becomes easier with practice. Keep going."

  • Maintain momentum:

    • Schedule regular refresh sessions

    • Document and share successes

    • Build on what works

    • "If you found a good match with a trainer, reach out to them and say, okay, can you provide refresher sessions or maybe bring in training that focuses on something we didn't cover."

  • Build internal support:

    • "This kind of institutional embedding of science communication culture needs to be spearheaded from the top"

    • "You might organize even a monthly get together, a short get together science communication meet up. People could come in and share their experiences"

    • Don't force everyone to participate - identify those who are genuinely interested

Credits:

  • Host & Producer: Chris Pahlow

  • Edited by: Laura Carolina Corrigan

  • Music by: La Boucle and Blue Steel, courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Chris Pahlow
Chris Pahlow is an independent writer/director currently in post-production on his debut feature film PLAY IT SAFE. Chris has been fascinated with storytelling since he first earned his pen license and he’s spent the last ten years bringing stories to life through music videos, documentaries, and short films.
http://www.chrispahlow.com
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31. Events that Actually Work: Cameron McKnight on Building Research Communities that Last