Making Research Meaningful: TED Tools for STEM Students

Dr. Becky Carmichael

It’s not unusual for students and professionals who conduct STEM research to hear the often dreaded question “So, what do you do?” We often hear it at conferences, and from family and friends. While many of us fear being asked this question, being able to explain research to people outside of one’s field often makes the difference between research that has a substantial impact on the public consciousness versus research that has little to no effect. So, how do skilled science communicators present scientific information to people who aren’t steeped in the specifics of their discipline? In this talk, Dr. Becky Carmichael demonstrates how researchers can share scientific findings with a general audience by employing tools used in TED talks to captivate an audience, generate interest, and convey significance.

Dr. Carmichael is a speaker coach for TEDxLSU and the LSU Communication across the Curriculum (CxC) coordinator for the College of Science and the College of the Coast & Environment.