Save Your Spot for Free Science Communications & Data Visualization Workshops!

By DSE March 9, 2026

Would you like support crafting a compelling elevator pitch about your research? Have you wanted to improve or expand your capabilities in data visualization? Are you looking for a place where you can get real-time feedback on your pitch from communications experts in a fun environment?

 

Learn how to translate your research into a concise, persuasive story and compelling visuals to increase your impact in science!

 

Join us on April 20 and/or April 21st for a free communications workshop series for scientists. All UC Berkeley graduate students, postdocs, and early-career faculty working in science and the environment are welcome. These events are hosted by Schmidt Sciences. Register here (space is very limited due to high volume of signups).

 

Dr. Carlie Weiner, Director of Communications of Schmidt Sciences, presenting at the 2025 science communications workshop. Dr. Weiner will return to campus to lead both workshops this year. Credit: Eric Xie, UC Berkeley College of Computing, Data Science, and Society
Dr. Carlie Wiener, Director of Communications of Schmidt Sciences, presenting at the 2025 science communications workshop. Dr. Wiener will return to campus to lead both workshops this year. Credit: Eric Xie, UC Berkeley College of Computing, Data Science, and Society

 

 

Details

You can attend one or both workshops!

 

In the communications workshop on Monday, April 20th, you'll learn best practices on science communications and will receive 1:1 coaching on your personal pitch from experts at Schmidt Sciences and leading journalists. By the end, you'll be able to (succinctly!) articulate what makes your research exciting, timely, and impactful to the media, policymakers, and more. This event takes place 9am - 2pm. Lunch provided.

headshots of 4/20 event speakers

April 20 speakers, from left to right: Dr. Carlie Wiener, Communications Director of Schmidt Sciences; Gabrielle Canon, Senior Climate Reporter and Extreme Weather Correspondent at Guardian US; Chris Keller, Chris Keller, Data & Graphics Reporter at the Associated Press; Bigad Shaban, Investigative Reporter with NBC Bay Area.

 

In the data visualization workshop on Tuesday, April 21st, you'll learn about a variety of tools available to scientists for creating data visualizations, tips for how to create compelling visuals, and can workshop ideas for creating visuals that support your research. Led by experts from Schmidt Sciences, DSE, and leading journalists. This event takes place 9am - 12pm, with optional lunch 12pm - 1pm (a great chance to meet and chat with event speakers!).

headshots of event speakers

April 21 speakers, from left to right: Dr. Carlie Wiener, Communications Director of Schmidt Sciences; Sean Greene, Assistant Data and Graphics Editor at the LA Times; Chris Keller, Chris Keller, Data & Graphics Reporter at the Associated Press; DSE data visualization experts Amanda Anderson-You and Sam Pottinger.

 

journalists speaking on a panel
Media experts at the 2025 workshops. From left to right: Dr. Wiener, Kevin McLean (Science), Bigad Shaban (NBC), and Elizabeth Weise (USA Today). 

 

 

NEW this year: data visualization training for scientists

We're excited that this years' workshop series will include a focused session on data visualization (April 21, 9am - 1pm). Many researchers appreciate the immense power of data visualization to effectively communicate research findings to academic and non-academic audiences. However, how to develop and hone data viz skills is not often part of a science curriculum. In collaboration with Schmidt Sciences, DSE will share best practices for designing and thinking about data viz, and attendees will have the chance to brainstorm and sketch visuals that complement your research.

 

DSE will share the inspiration for animated visuals like this one below, which we created to help the United Nations visualize global plastic consumption. See a sneak peak into some of the visuals we'll walk you through here!

 

animated gif of annual global plastic consumption, visualized with a large pile of plastic on top of New York City.
DSE created this gif with the Benioff Ocean Science Lab at UC Santa Barbara as part of our collaborative work with the United Nations’ global plastics treaty. 

 

Previous attendee feedback: workshops were "fantastic"

Students and postdocs who attended last years' workshops shared that the content was incredibly informative and inspiring. One participant commented that the workshop was “just the right balance of 'interactive' without being a huge lift in terms of workload during the course” and other noted that the event offered “very useful perspectives on how to go about presenting the ‘so what’ of my research, and putting it into decipherable language.” 

 

Register Now

You can attend either or both workshops (please indicate your attendance in the registration form). Food will be provided. But space is limited! Save your spot ASAP. 

 

Questions? Please contact Ellen Cadigan: ecadigan@berkeley.edu.

 

Students had the chance to apply what they learned by giving a one-minute elevator pitch to media experts and workshop attendees. Above: Kwabena Owusu Sarfo, a Master’s student in the Energy Resources Group, describes his work on AI and energy use.
Kwabena Owusu Sarfo, a Master’s student in the Energy Resources Group, describes his work on AI and energy use at the 2025 workshops. This year, students will again have the chance to apply what they learned by giving a one-minute elevator pitch to media experts and workshop attendees. 

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