Storytelling for research impact | GRTC304

Complex research doesn't have to be difficult to understand.

How do you explain years of specialized research to someone outside your field without losing what makes it important?

In this interactive workshop, you'll explore practical techniques for communicating complex ideas in clear, engaging, and accessible ways. Drawing on her experience translating cutting-edge research into children's storybooks, our facilitator will reveal the thinking behind the process – from identifying core messages and simplifying technical concepts to using analogies, structure, and narrative to help audiences understand and connect with your work.  

By the end of the workshop, you'll leave with practical tools to:

- Distill your research into a clear, memorable message.

- Explain complex concepts without sacrificing accuracy. 

- Adapt your communication for different audiences.

- Make your research more engaging, accessible, and impactful.

Dr. Valerie Miller is the Outreach and Engagement Lead and Acting Communications Manager for the University of Alberta research group, Future Energy Systems (FES). She provides science communication training to researchers and opportunities for FES researchers to share their research with community, government, and industry.  

Valerie is also the author of The Energy Adventures of Tommy and Remi, an educational children's book series exploring the world of energy and climate change in search of ways to make a difference.