Resources for Training in Academic and Professional Competencies
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.
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.
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.