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Resources for Training in Academic and Professional Competencies

Competency Domain(s) Resource/Training Provider
Scientific Reasoning Let’s Experiment: A Guide for Scientists Working at the Bench iBiology
Data Analysis: Planning and Preparing Nature Masterclass
Planning Your Scientific Journey iBiology
Oral and Written Communication

 

Practical Strategies for Strong Writing ASPIRE Module (VU)
Creating Effective Scientific Talks and Delivering them with Confidence ASPIRE Workshop (VU)
Upcoming ASPIRE Workshops
SciComm for All ASPIRE Module (VU)
Scientific Writing and Publishing: Writing a Research Paper Nature Masterclass
The Art of Science Communication American Society of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (ASBMB)
Share Your Research: How to Give a Good Talk iBiology
Oral Presentations: Using Slides Effectively iBiology
Advancing your Scientific Presentations Nature Masterclass
Talking Science: Designing and Delivering Successful Oral Presentations NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE)
Narrative Tools for Researchers Nature Masterclass
Communicating Science: Tools for Scientists and Engineers NIH OITE
Transparency in Author Contributions in Science National Academy of Sciences
Professionalism Savvy Science – Professionalism Strategies for Success ASPIRE Bistro Series (VU)
Upcoming ASPIRE Bistros
Maximizing your Potential: Leading and Managing People, Projects, and Your Career ASPIRE Module (VU)
EQ+IQ=Career Success ASPIRE Module (VU)
Effective Collaboration in Research Nature Masterclass
Leading in Difficult Times Toolkit Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)

External Online Resources

iBiology self-paced online course: Let’s Experiment: A Guide for Scientists Working at the Bench

In this course, scientists from a variety of backgrounds give concrete steps and advice to help participants build a framework for how to design experiments. Through the course, participants develop a general approach to experimental design and understand what they are getting into before they begin.

Nature Masterclass self-paced online course: Data Analysis: Planning and Preparing

This course is designed for researchers in the natural sciences who want to develop their data analysis skills or mentor others through the process. Participants will (1) understand the importance of planning and preparing for data analysis, (2) learn the key terms and processes relating to data analysis, and (3) learn the principles of creating and updating a data analysis plan.

iBiology self-paced online course: Planning Your Scientific Journey

Being successful as a scientist requires more than acquiring knowledge and developing experimental skills. It also requires: (1) asking a good scientific question, (2) establishing a clear plan of action, and (3) seeking advice along the way. By the end of the course, participants will have the criteria to evaluate a research question, a plan for how to approach their scientific question sand other research goals, and an agenda for a meeting with a mentor to get feedback on their plans.

Nature Masterclass self-paced online course: Scientific Writing and Publishing – Part 1: Writing a Research Paper

Part 1 of the Scientific Writing and Publishing online course focuses on how to write a clear and concise article that will appeal to a broad audience. Participants will learn (1) What editors look for in a great paper, (2) How to write clearly, write a great title and abstract, and structure a paper, (3) How to manage and present data.

ASBMB 8-week Online Course: The Art of Science Communication (offered summer and winter)

The Art of Science Communication is an online course that provides fundamental training in science communication, focusing on how to present science to a non-expert audience in a formal setting, such as a public lecture. Using video lectures, background material, virtual mentoring and discussions, the course covers the important components of what makes for a successful presentation, including messaging, generating interest, and engaging with the audience.

iBiology self-paced online course: Share Your Research: How to Give a Good Talk

This course guides participants through the steps of creating and delivering a good research talk. Each participant will develop a detailed plan for a talk while learning techniques and strategies for delivering it in an engaging and effective way. By the completion of the course, participants will have completed a complete outline for a talk.

iBiology short video (20 min): Using Slides Effectively

Scientists inevitably have to give oral presentations about their work. In this video, communications and digital media expert Boyd Branch offers practical strategies for the effective design of oral presentations using slides. He discusses how to use text, color and images to create compelling and clear oral presentations.

Nature Masterclass self-paced online course: Advancing your Scientific Presentations

This course is designed for researchers in the natural sciences who want to improve the quality of their peer-to-peer scientific presentations with both virtual and face-to-face audiences. Participants will (1) identify techniques that can help to overcome the challenges that researchers commonly experience when delivering oral presentations, (2) learn how to build compelling research stories to use as the foundation for presentations, (3) learn how to create professional slide decks that effectively communicate research findings to audiences, and (4) learn how to apply strategies to help deliver a presentation effectively, in both virtual and face-to-face environments.

NIH OITE Recorded Seminar: Talking Science Designing and Delivering Successful Oral Presentations (1h 30 min)

Science isn’t complete until the results have been shared with interested others and talking about results is one of the important ways of making them public. This presentation will address topics including the anatomy of a science talk, creating successful slides, delivering your content convincingly, ensuring that your talk is well-received, and answering questions.

Nature Masterclass self-paced online course: Narrative Tools for Researchers

This course is designed for researcher in the natural sciences who want to enhance their communication to their peers by using narrative tools to tell their research story. Participants will (1) understand the benefits of using narrative tools to communicate research more effectively to scientific peers and stakeholders, (2) learn how to create and combine narrative elements to build a compelling scientific story, and (3) learn how to refine a research story depending on the audience and communication format.

NIH OITE Recorded Seminar: Communicating Science: Tools for Scientists and Engineers (45 min)

Scientists and engineers who foster information-sharing and respect between science and the public are essential for the public communication of and engagement with science. This seminar will help viewers develop public communication and outreach skills, with a focus on extending beyond the scientific community and communicating research directly to the greater public, including the media and policy makers.

National Academy of Sciences: Transparency in Author Contributions in Science

The National Academy of Sciences has created a TACS (Transparency in Author Contributions in Science) webpage to list the journals that commit to setting authorship standards, defining responsibilities for corresponding authors, requiring ORCID iDs, and adopting the CRediT taxonomy. The webpage not only serves as a mechanism to document growing transparency in authorship, but also as a resource for sharing and exchanging best practices in authorship policies that can inform discussions at university and research laboratories.

Nature Masterclass self-paced online course: Effective Collaboration in Research

This course is designed for researchers in the natural sciences who wish to participate in or set up and lead collaborative projects. Participants will (1) understand the different forms, benefits, and challenges of collaborative research, (2) develop key collaborative skills such as communication and teamwork, (3) learn how to initiate and run a successful collaboration, (4) learn how to maximize the value of, and conclude, a collaborative project.

Association of American Medical Colleges: Leading in Difficult Times Toolkit

This virtual resource library on leadership focuses on managing self, leading others, and leading your organization, particularly within the context of difficult or uncertain times.