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Our Communication Lab teams are always thinking about new communication skills and scenarios that we can help to demystify and support. Find our latest resources below:

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Quick tips on handy skills and first-hand reflections about communication experiences, from Communication Fellows and MIT community members

Scientific research strengthens our understanding of so many aspects of the world, from microbes to planets. Whether a study advances knowledge in a relatively minor way, or by leaps and bounds, in order to reach the scientific community the work must be communicated clearly and effectively. Peer-reviewed journals remain trustworthy sources of scientific knowledge, and ‘getting published’ is a significant accomplishment for young and experienced researchers alike.

Students spend hours and hours working beside each other in classrooms and lecture halls. Despite such constant proximity, these settings can be lonely places where each student forges ahead (or falls behind) without feeling connected to a supportive classroom community.

It has been about two years since ChatGPT took the world by storm, offering a quick and easy way to ask questions in plain text, generate new information, and get clarification on more things than ever before. And I hate it.

“Make your own opportunity.” “You need a referral to bypass the resume review bot.” “You should find a mentor.” These are all things we hear when applying for jobs or other opportunities that are easier said than done. Making them happen often means reaching out, sometimes to people you barely know, with your questions expressing interest. This practice is referred to as ‘cold contacting’ and is generally echoed by groans whenever it is mentioned.

“What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?” With that simple question, former astronaut Chris Hadfield began what would become one of the most watched TED Talks of all time [1]. He didn’t start with equations or orbital mechanics. Instead, he launched into a story – recounting how he went blind during a spacewalk. In a room full of people expecting space trivia, he gave them suspense and humanity.

When sharing our research with others, we are expected to provide context, explain our findings, and assist in interpretation of data, all while carefully considering the audience, goals, and progress of projects. On top of that, we want to choose the right presentation to deliver the message in a compelling, engaging, and credible manner. This blog post is a guide to help you determine the appropriate strategy to accomplish all of these goals. While we mainly focus on presentations, the same framework of developing a clear narrative supported by evidence can be generally applied to any of your communication needs in BE and science in general.

Driving is a complex task that requires intense focus on the world around you. Distractions can be disastrous. Even quickly checking your text message can literally be fatal, but screens aren’t inherently bad! Many cars today have replaced physical gauges with digital displays, but most people would agree there is a fundamental difference between your relationship with your dashboard vs with your phone. I argue the reason for this difference is simple: the dashboard tells you exactly the information you need at a glance—no more, no less. You don’t need to spend valuable attention parsing unnecessary stuff.

Writing my PhD thesis proposal was both an intellectually demanding and transformative experience. I truly felt that I was formally (and finally) starting my dissertation, as opposed to when I was just writing separate papers for different projects. Looking back, there are several things I am glad for having done. Here are my key reflections on the process!

Emails dominate our daily communication, whether for scheduling meetings, sharing information, or staying updated. Yet, writing emails can be challenging even for simple tasks, and we are seldom taught how to write effective emails that are clear, concise, and efficient.

There’s a conference taking place in a few months in some far-off land. You may or may not be planning to submit an abstract of your latest and greatest work. Either way, as a first-time conference goer, you’re wondering how the experience will go.

New & Updated CommKits

Discipline-specific how-to’s and annotated examples, covering both technical and professional communication.

You can also see CommKits in other scientific/engineering disciplines.