Science Communication Portfolio

The 'Science Communication Portfolio' is a training document designed to help scientists communicate their research to non-specialists through a structured four-step introductory process and various verbal and written modules. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the audience, defining 'take-home' messages, and using storytelling techniques like the 'And, But, Therefore' (ABT) statement to increase public engagement and inform policy.

• The guide outlines a four-step introductory process for scientists to prepare their communication: identifying goals, understanding the audience, defining 2-3 'take-home' messages, and establishing an 'And, But, Therefore' (ABT) statement to turn exposition into a story.
• For verbal communication, the guide recommends specific formats: 'sound bites' for media (short, quotable forms), 'elevator pitches' (under 30 seconds to spark interest), '3-Minute Talks' (balancing relevance, messages, and wrap-up), and formal presentations that utilize storytelling and simplified visuals.
• Written communication strategies vary by platform: Twitter should aim for 120 characters or less for easier retweeting; Facebook posts should be succinct (1-2 sentences) and visually compelling; and blogs should typically range between 400-800 words and follow a 'story arc' (Set the Stage, Rising Action, Climax, Closure).
• Memos for policymakers must be fundamentally different from academic writing, prioritizing the 'Bottom Line Up Front' (BLUF) and limiting the length to one page or less to ensure the most important point is not missed.
• Op-eds are described as personal viewpoint-based pieces, usually between 500 and 750 words, that should clearly separate facts from views to both inform and persuade the reader.
• The guide provides technical 'Ground Rules for Presentations' for general audiences, including using sans serif fonts of 24 point or larger, limiting slides to 3-4 points (max 40 words), and avoiding complex graphs and tables in favor of visuals that communicate a message at a glance.

APA

Wood-Charlson, E. M., & Varga, M. (2015). Science Communication Portfolio. Union of Concerned Scientists. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/04/Science%20Communication%20Portfolio.pdf

Chicago

Wood-Charlson, Elisha M., and Melissa Varga. Science Communication Portfolio. Union of Concerned Scientists, 2015. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/04/Science%20Communication%20Portfolio.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Wood-Charlson |first1=Elisha M. |last2=Varga |first2=Melissa |title=Science Communication Portfolio |publisher=Union of Concerned Scientists |date=2 April 2015 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/04/Science%20Communication%20Portfolio.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{woodcharlson2015science, author = {Wood-Charlson, Elisha M. and Varga, Melissa}, title = {{Science Communication Portfolio}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2015}, month = apr, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/04/Science%20Communication%20Portfolio.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }