Speaking to local civic and community organizations is a convenient way to talk to groups of people, many of whom are leaders in your community. You may know a member of one of the groups who could help arrange a speaking opportunity. Speaking to community groups is a good chance to make short presentations about your area of science. You can contact these groups through national websites or identify them locally.
Unlike a paper published in a scientific journal like MBoC or a talk delivered at an ASCB annual meeting, a presentation to non-scientists should follow similar rules as a Two-Minute speech.
The following tips may help you craft an understandable presentation.
- Introduce yourself and tell them where you work and how you are funded. Include a picture of you and your colleagues working in the lab.
- Be sure to mention what agencies and organizations fund your research.
- Describe the overall field of research you work in. Where does your research fit in to the overall field? Is there a connection to a particular disease?
- Have advances been made? Has your lab made advances?
- Be sure to express the enthusiasm you have for your research.
- Why is your research important to those you are speaking to?
- Keep your presentation short and leave time for questions.
