The ScienceForWork Podcast Making Science User-Friendly: Rethinking Communication with Dr. Mike Morrison
Feb 18, 2025
Dr. Mike Morrison, a designer with a PhD in organizational psychology, advocates for user-friendly science communication. He shares how his innovative idea, Better Posters, sparked a movement to enhance research accessibility. Topics include emotional connections in sharing knowledge, overcoming communication challenges faced by scientists, and the power of collaboration in driving change. Mike emphasizes the importance of simplifying complex visuals and creating supportive networks to revolutionize how science is communicated and understood.
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The Better Poster Movement
- Mike Morrison redesigned the scientific poster format, focusing on key takeaways and visuals.
- This sparked a movement and changed how scientific posters are designed.
Emotional Resonance
- The Better Poster movement's success stemmed from pent-up frustration among scientists regarding traditional poster sessions.
- Scientists, often insecure, felt overwhelmed but were afraid to voice their concerns.
Visual-First Communication
- Prioritize visuals and key takeaways in communication, catering to our tendency to process information lazily.
- Start with a captivating visual, then add supporting details, reversing the typical scientist's approach.
