Learning, Connecting and Communicating: My Reflections on ComSciCon-Triangle 2025

As a geospatial scientist focusing on understanding the impacts of disturbances on forest ecosystems, effective communication is essential for communicating this research and bridging gaps between science, policy, and public understanding. Hence, I appreciate the opportunity to be selected as an attendee of the 2025 ComSciCon-Triangle workshop hosted at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. 

On the first day of the workshop, I drove to UNC with a lot of expectations and readiness to learn more. Right after the warm welcome and introduction, I attended the first lecture, “Breaking Down News Article Structure”, led by Fenella Saunders, an editor-in-chief at American Scientist. As someone interested in writing and communication, I found this session incredibly insightful. Saunders walked us through the six key sections of a well-structured news I learned that science communication doesn’t necessarily involve writing all that you did, it is more about what your audience needs. You need to keep your audience engaged throughout. 

Additionally, I had the chance to write a piece based on my work, with the hope of publishing it on a science communication platform. Through students and Dr. Robert Hampson, an expert reviewer, I received constructive feedback that helped me refine my ideas and sharpen my writing. This experience also allowed me to realize the importance of tailoring my communication approach depending on the audience, whether they are researchers, policymakers, or the general public. Dr. Robert Hampson touched on how large language models could help improve storytelling and time management through transcribing and creating an outline of your write up. He also mentioned how leveraging scientific training such as learning to write through grants and papers and learning to teach through mentoring could help improve our communication skills.

One of the highlights of the workshop on the second day was the 60-second pop talk, which allowed me to distill my complex research into a brief, clear, and compelling presentation. This exercise challenged me to focus on the core message of my work and communicate it in a way that was easily understandable to a broad audience within a very short timeframe. I presented my research on the application of machine learning models and remote sensing to understand the impact of climate change and sea level rise on coastal forest change.

Lastly, the ComSciCon-Triangle workshop offered not only the chance to improve my communication skills but also the opportunity to connect with fellow students from universities around the Triangle area. This event was a unique blend of learning, networking, and practical experience. As I continue to develop my research and communication skills, this workshop has equipped me with the tools to present my work in a way that is both impactful and accessible to a wider audience.

A big thank you to ComSciCon-Triangle, all of the sponsoring organizations and the Center for Geospatial Analytics for sharing the opportunity with me.