RELATE is a communications training and community engagement program designed to improve the dialogue between researchers and different public audiences. Our program is built on the belief that science communication should be a conversation, and not scientists lecturing audiences about their work. Our goal is to support researchers in engaging in this conversation. Public dialog on scientific idea
s benefits both the public and the institution of science. However, researchers must be able to communicate their work and its implications in a way that is accessible and meaningful to a broad audience. Researchers have a variety of motivations for engaging with different public audiences such as informing policy, medical and ethical decisions, and enhancing science education. Likewise, scientific research is improved by incorporating diverse perspectives and experiences from the public. RELATE aims to bridge these communities through a unique program structure which pairs communications training with practice. As a part of RELATE, graduate students and early career researchers hone their communication skills in an intensive workshop with instruction and feedback from communications experts. To complete their training, these researchers put their newly refined skills into action by communicating research practice, progress, and issues with a broad audience in a series of community engagement events. By helping graduate students and early career researchers develop stronger communication skills and actively facilitating a dialogue between researchers and different public communities, RELATE seeks to create an environment for positive and significant public engagement on scientific issues.
