Climate Science Explained Clearly: “Translators Showcase” to Connect California Grad Students with Delegates of Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco

The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) is bringing 12 talented graduate students and postdoctoral researchers to #GCAS2018 to practice a crucial skill: translating climate science for policymakers and decision makers.

The “CCST Climate Science Translators Showcase” will take place on Tuesday, September 11, 2018, in conjunction with the Global Climate Action Summit’s Science to Action Day and the CCST 30th Anniversary Celebration at The Exploratorium in San Francisco. Hailing from some of California’s top universities and laboratories, these masters, doctoral, and postdoctoral researchers will practice their budding craft for communicating science in an open-networking setting. At this private evening reception, invited delegates and guests will hear these Climate Science Translators explain timely topics such as decarbonizing energy grids of developing economies, assessing carbon storage value of mangrove forests, preparing California agriculture for future warming, and analyzing strategies for sustainable beef production.

The Showcase format intentionally breaks from academic tradition, placing emphasis on conversational, face-to- face engagement instead of lengthy slideshows packed with dense jargon. Leaders, managers, and senior researchers get to learn about timely science related to climate change adaptation and planning – while these young scientists improve their skill and savvy in conveying the importance of their science to decision makers and stakeholders. Guests will also receive a special “science slogan” bookmark from each Showcase presenter – taking home a memorable message conveying the importance of the climate research topic at hand.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for research trainees interested in a policy engagement experience,” says Amber Mace PhD, CCST Interim Executive Director. “CCST is honored to be a participating partner in Governor Brown’s historic Global Climate Action Summit, and we look forward to showcasing the brilliant talent and innovation from California’s leading institutions on this important world stage.”

The CCST Science Translators Showcase Program debuted in February 2018 as a new way to provide graduate researchers and early career scientists at California institutions with training and experience in communicating science advice to policymakers. Candidates submit 60-second audition videos, and chosen presenters participate in scicomm training webinars on message crafting, California policy, and conversational networking.

Eight institutions are represented at the September 11 CCST Climate Science Translators Showcase: UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, Caltech, Stanford, University of Southern California, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The 12 chosen presenters are:

About the California Council on Science and Technology

The California Council on Science and Technology is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization established via the California State Legislature in 1988. CCST engages leading experts in science and technology to advise state policymakers – ensuring that California policy is strengthened and informed by scientific knowledge, research, and innovation.

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