Harness Your Scientific Power in Public Policy

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Do you want to learn to present scientific topics to policy makers using accurate, accessible, and engaging strategies and tools? In this hands-on, interactive, 3-session workshop, learn a powerful, proven methodology – RISE System (Raising the Influence of Scientists and Engineers) – custom-built by Mark Bayer, a former chief of staff in the US Senate with 20 years of policymaking work in Congress and deep experience mentoring scientists serving as Congressional Fellows.

Course capacity: 20

Dates & Times

January 14, 15, and 16; 12-1 PM
Virtual (Zoom)

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Course Topics

• Determine policymakers’ preferred communication styles and level of understanding of relevant scientific work before crafting messages so relatable, recognizable examples can be incorporated that resonate with your listeners

• Structure communications using a 4-part focused approach that holds policymakers’ attention throughout presentations, prompting policymaker and staff member engagement and interest from the start

• Boil down complex scientific concepts and topics into memorable, jargon-free descriptions that convey real-world relevance tailored to policymakers’ specific interests, increasing the likelihood of gaining funding support

• Build productive, mutually beneficial relationships with policymakers, as desired,by serving as a trusted resource, not merely another funding request
  

  Important Information for Workshop Participants:

  • Registrants are expected to attend all three sessions to qualify for personalized feedback
  • If you are not selected for personalized feedback, you are still strongly encouraged to attend the final session, as it will include valuable group discussions, case-specific feedback, and practical insights

  Personalized Feedback Details:

  • To be considered for personalized feedback, confirm your commitment to attending all three sessions and email a brief description of your communication project (200 words or less) to [email protected]
  • Five trainees will be selected and notified by January 12th
  • Selected trainees must submit a 90-second self-recording of their project by January 15th.

Instructor

Mark Bayer
President, Bayer Strategic Consulting
Chief of Staff, U.S. Senate and House of Representatives (retired)

Mark Bayer is an international keynote speaker, course presenter, and workshop provider specializing in strategic communication, legislative strategy, and the art and science of persuasion. A former Chief of Staff in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives during a 20- year career working in the U.S. Congress, Mark created the RISE| SystemTM (Raising the Influence of Scientists and Engineers), to help scientists, engineers, and executives get research funding, advance their careers, and effectively communicate the real-world importance of their work to their most important stakeholders, including potential employers, investors, policymakers and the public. The RISE| SystemTM is based on Mark’s academic training in rhetoric and persuasion and his real-world experience working in Congress to rapidly distill complex policies, craft strategies to advance high-profile initiatives, and concisely explain them to the stakeholders who could advance, or derail, their progress, including as Members of Congress and opinion leaders at The New York Times, USA Today, CNN, and many others. Mark has appeared in Science, Forbes, The New Yorker, Barron’s, TeenVOGUE and other publications. He serves as a guest lecturer in the Science Policy Bootcamp course at Cornell University’s Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering. Host of the weekly podcast “When Science Speaks”, Mark explores communications, science policy, and career issues affecting grad students, PhDs, entrepreneurs, and senior scientists. Mark is a magna cum laude graduate of Cornell University, where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his Master in Public Policy at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.