Find Your Program

Essential Programming

In-person or online, cultivate a foundation for meaningful, trust-based connection

• Creating Connections: An Introduction

  Duration: 1-2 hours, depending on client needs

  Designed to introduce organizations and their researchers to the Alda Method, this interactive session shares simple applied improvisational exercises and fundamental communication strategies.

  Participants will begin to explore ways to build trust and engage audiences in science through effective communication. They will practice new skills and techniques in pairs or small groups, and offer and receive feedback from their peers.

  This program is ideal for conferences, professional society meetings, and other large-scale gatherings. 

  It is available online or in-person.

  Contact us to book this program

• The Essentials

  Duration: 3 hours
  Participants: Up to 16 individuals

  This program offers scientists and researchers an introduction to the importance of building trust and listening deeply as core aspects of communication. Developing effective, engaging and accurate messages for different audiences requires strategy and skill, and practice. The Essentials aims to build and refine those skills through improvisational exercises, strategic messaging tools, and feedback from peers and science communication experts. You will learn to –

  • • • Connect and interact with an audience in meaningful ways
      • Explore strategies that make messages and information memorable
      • Shift focus to others; learn how to adapt messaging
      • Prioritize clarity by minimizing jargon and using evocative language
      • Use an audience-centered strategic communication tool

  It is available online.

  Contact us to book this program

Signature Science Communication Program

In-person, deep exploration and application of skills in different contexts

• Signature Science Communication Program

  Duration: Two days, 8 hours/day  
  Participants: Groups of 16 or 32

  This in-person program helps researchers explore and practice using communication strategies that engage others. Participants will practice by developing a short talk for a non-expert audience, use narrative to engage others, and prepare for difficult situations.

  The two-day program is a comprehensive and engaging chance to experiment with and adopt effective science communication practices. Like all our programs, it relies on  the Alda Method, an approach that blends applied-improvisation exercises and communication strategies.

  Contact us to book your signature program

Foundational Virtual series

Expand your virtual Alda Center programming with this popular series

• Foundational Virtual Series

  Duration: 3-part online series
  Participants: Up to 20 individuals (all modules)

  The Foundational Virtual Series brings together three of our most popular virtual programs to offer a deeper understanding and application of core science communication strategy and skills.

  MODULE ONE: The Essentials (3 hours)	This program offers scientists and researchers an introduction to the importance of building trust and listening deeply as core aspects of communication. Developing effective, engaging and accurate messages for different audiences requires strategy and skill, and practice. The Essentials aims to build and refine those skills through improvisational exercises, strategic messaging tools, and feedback from peers and science communication experts. You will learn to: Connect and interact with an audience in meaningful ways Explore strategies that make messages and information memorable Shift focus to others; learn how to adapt messaging Prioritize clarity by minimizing jargon and using evocative language Use an audience-centered strategic communication tool
  MODULE TWO: Small Group Coaching (3 hours;  in groups of 8-10)	In this small group coaching session, participants practice different ways of presenting their science to non-expert audiences. Participants will apply the skills and strategies introduced in the Essentials and exchange feedback with peers and experts to finely tune messages about their science.
  MODULE THREE: Science Through Narrative (3 hours)	This program offers scientists the opportunity to enhance their science communication with the power of good storytelling. Building on the skills and strategies of The Essentials and Small Group Coaching, participants will create a memorable and moving narrative about their science. Participants will engage in developmental exercises and peer analysis and feedback to: Learn a process for creating a narrative about science Identify key elements of storytelling Outline a plot that engages the audience Create beginnings and endings linked to audience-centered goals Identify compelling characters that foster connection between the audience and the science Engage the audience’s imagination while effectively communicating the complexities of their science

  It is available online.

  Contact us to book this program

 

 

A Unique Approach to Communication Training

The Alda Method is central to all our programs. The Alda Method combines social science research, applied improvisation, and communication strategies.

Our programs help experts build bridges between their knowledge and others'. This helps everyone more fully engage in the wonder and joy of research.

20,000 people have learned to build trust and foster engagement.

Thousands of people have learned better ways to foster trust, create authentic interpersonal connections, and share the wonder and joy of science.

Join Them.