COURS INTENSIF (disponible uniquement en anglais)
Speaking the Same Language™: Communicating Science with Indigenous Communities
Level: Intermediate
Facilitators: Robert Simpson & Bryan Hendry, PRA Communications
This workshop, created collaboratively by the Canadian Centre for Science Communication and PRA Communications, was a response to findings that revealed a growing lack of trust between scientists, technical experts and Indigenous communities. However, this same research also indicated that scientists could bridge this gap by adopting an audience-focused communication style. By prioritizing factors such as audience experience, interests and level of scientific understanding, values and beliefs in their communication methods, tangible and quantifiable results were observed.
Attendees of this workshop will gain insight into effective science communication methods, including the incorporation of traditional knowledge, values, culture and Indigenous science into Western science. The Speaking the Same Language™ draws on our three decades of experience in communicating mining science with Indigenous communities, as well as our collaborations with Indigenous communicators, ethicists, and scientists. Through interactive activities and the sharing of relevant case studies, participants will see practical examples of successful science communication.
The Speaking the Same Language™ workshops are based on the latest research in science communication and equip scientists with the necessary knowledge, skills and approaches to encourage public dialogue, engage meaningfully, and make evidence-based decisions. Through a combination of practical information and hands-on activities, participants can readily implement these techniques in their professional settings. The workshop will utilize specific examples, case studies, and exercises to demonstrate how utilizing these skills can enhance one's communication abilities.
During the workshop, an Indigenous communicator and a science communication specialist will discuss their award-winning work successfully communicating science to Indigenous communities. All workshop participants will receive a workbook, Speaking the Same Language™: Communicating Science with Indigenous Communities.
Short Course Objectives:
Participants in this workshop will learn what constitutes effective science communication and how to integrate Indigenous traditional science, values and knowledge with Western science for better evidence-based decision-making. At the end of the workshop, participants will:
Understand what constitutes effective science communication, and how to measure outcomes.
Learn to develop an audience-centered approach to communication using audience analysis, demographics, psychographics, learning styles, information processing and behavioural characteristics.
Understand how to integrate Indigenous cultural values, traditional science and knowledge, with Western science.
Understand how Indigenous and Western worldviews impact science communication and comprehension.
Understand traditional knowledge of science, values, and customs and how they intersect with Western science for building mutual understanding.
Gain tools for trust-building, interpersonal communication skills and relationship-building.
Strategies for communicating science with Indigenous audiences for evidence-based decision-making.
Learn how to establish baselines and measure the effectiveness of your science communication.
Target Audience:
Engineers, geologists, environmental scientists, community relations specialists, presidents & CEOs, government regulatory specialists, mine managers, and communicators.
About the instructors:
Bryan Hendry is a senior associate at the Canadian Centre for Science Communication with three decades of Indigenous communication experience working with the Assembly of First Nations and the Chiefs of Ontario. His work has focused on health, mining, economic development and human resource development policy and communications, which included research and writing for the State of the First Nation Economy paper and the International Indigenous Summit on Energy and Mining. For the past two decades was a Senior Policy Analyst and Director of Communication for the Assembly of First Nations, where he communicated both science and social policy to First Nation Chiefs and communities throughout Canada. He was also co-chair of the National Standing Committee on Mining Essentials.
Robert Simpson is the President and CEO of PRA Communication and the Canadian Centre for Science Communication. He is an experienced trainer and communicator frequently engaged by the C-suite, Boards of Directors and senior technical staff for strategic advice about effective communication with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Over the past 25 years, Robert has helped over 30 mining projects to successfully communicate with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to gain approval for environmental assessment certifications, regulatory amendments, mine expansions and mine life extensions. Robert is a global leading authority on effectively communicating mining science.