Balancing factual knowledge with engaging and open communication is critical to the
development of effective policy formulation. Preparing Non-Profit Members To Communicate
With Elected Officials was funded by T3: Texas A&M Triads for Transformation grant program
in 2020.
By identifying gaps in professional sciences communications skills development curriculum
available to non-profit organizations and testing the effectiveness of curriculum designed for
these organization’s members, we can provide scientists with resources to communicate
effectively with legislators and their staff to better inform policy development.
To conduct the needs assessment with Texas-based non-profits and to develop effective science
communications curriculum, we will use Baram-Tsabari and Lewenstein’s (2017) science
communication learning goals model. In their 2017 work, they built a coherent definition,
through extensive review of existing literature, of science communication, addressing affective
issues, content knowledge, methods, reflection, participation, and identity. By using this model
to assess the sciences communications needs of non-profit member’s, we hope to learn what gaps
exist in their current sciences communications curriculum to inform more holistic curricula with
the hope of better preparing members of these organizations to advocate for themselves and their
organizations’ interests.
This project was supported by the Texas A&M University President’s T3 Initiative.