Members of the Real Pork Scholars participated in a science communication training led by Dr. Katie Sanders to wrap up their spring semester learning about the foundations of science communication and effective strategies for connecting with diverse consumers.
Science Communication Training and Practice
The training started Monday morning with talks from RPTC faculty Dr. Fallys Masambuka-Kanchewa and Dr. Shuyang Qu. Masambuka-Kanchewa started our training off with a great discussion about the role of trust in connecting with consumers. Qu highlighted the important role of visual communication in eliciting emotional responses to help connect to consumer values. Sanders rounded out Day 1 with tips for communicating science on social media and strategies for developing a research elevator pitch.
Day 2 included an exciting round of role-playing as different consumers. Each scholar presented their research elevator pitch to different audiences, such as policymakers, mothers, retirees, and dieticians, to name a few. These role-playing exercises extended the scholars’ abilities to connect their science to a diversity of consumers, all motivated by different values. Sanders and training lead Dr. Todd See provided feedback to scholars during these exercises.
Collaborations and Networking
As part of their training, the National Pork Board set up excellent networking opportunities for the scholars with other pork industry stakeholders, including past presidents of the National Pork Board, the UC Davis CLEAR Center, and State Pork Association members, among others.
The trainings happened in the days before the World Pork Expo, held in Des Moines, Iowa - one of the largest gatherings of pork industry stakeholders in the country. Scholars introduced Pork Academy sessions, highlighting their role in the Real Pork Scholars program and facilitating connections across the industry.
Future Directions
The trainings during World Pork Expo week closed out our first year of the Real Pork Scholars program which included weekly sessions led by See and Sanders during the academic year. Next fall, we will be back with year two with this group and will be introducing the next cohort of scholars to follow in their footsteps!
Acknowledgments
Thank you to the National Pork Board who sponsors the Real Pork Scholars program, as well as Chelsey Van Genderen and Becky Johnson for providing logistical support and input into the training and facilitation. A special thank you to our Real Pork Scholars for traveling from across the country to engage in this training!
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