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Feb 24, 2020 Article
One size does not fit all: gender implications for the design of outcomes, evaluation and assessment of science communication programs

by Christine O'Connell, Merryn McKinnon and Jordan LaBouff

As science communication programs grow worldwide, effective evaluation and assessment metrics lag. While there is no consensus on evaluation protocols specifically for science communication training, there is agreement on elements of effective training: listening, empathy, and knowing your audience — core tenets of improvisation. We designed an evaluation protocol, tested over three years, based on validated and newly developed scales for an improvisation-based communication training at the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science. Initial results suggest that ‘knowing your audience’ should apply to training providers as they design and evaluate their curriculum, and gender may be a key influence on outcomes.

Volume 19 • Issue 01 • 2020