Better Science Communication Through Improv Learning Lab

Communicating scientific and technical work rarely goes as planned—questions come out of nowhere, time gets cut short, or the audience shifts unexpectedly. This highly interactive, 2-hour learning lab gives attendees a low-pressure, energizing environment to build confidence communicating on the fly. Participants practice staying clear, calm, and compelling when conditions change, using applied improv techniques that translate directly to real research, clinical, and professional settings. 

Participants actively build comfort with spontaneous communication through short, playful exercises that emphasize adaptability over perfection. Attendees will experiment with multiple versions of their research story—30 seconds, 1 minute, and beyond—so they can quickly tailor messages for hallway conversations, networking moments, formal presentations, or surprise questions. Along the way, participants strengthen resilience, embrace mistakes as learning moments, and leave with practical strategies for thinking on their feet. 

Rather than lectures, the lab centers on hands-on activities like rapid-fire group games, improvisational research summaries, paired pitch refinement, and real-world networking scenarios. Attendees move, laugh, collaborate, and practice repeatedly, building skills through repetition and peer interaction. The facilitation approach meets participants where they are, fostering confidence, connection, and communication skills that carry forward into scientific, clinical, and industry conversations. 

Objectives 

• Demonstrate adaptable communication techniques when presenting research or ideas across varying time constraints and professional scenarios. 
• Improve confidence and resilience in spontaneous scientific communication through applied improv and interactive practice. 
• Create multiple audience-appropriate versions of a research overview for use in networking, clinical, academic, and industry settings. 
• Practice delivering concise research messages through timed improv exercises that simulate real-world professional interactions. 
• Perform spontaneous research overviews using unfamiliar prompts or constraints to strengthen clarity under pressure. 
• Modify research narratives in real time based on audience cues, context changes, and time limitations.