TED-Style Storytelling to Enhance Communication and Outreach
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Abstract
Discovery Talks is an outreach program in the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) at The Ohio State University, designed to educate the community about the impact of microbes and infectious diseases on people and ecosystems around the globe. A leading cause of death and a major threat to our food supply and natural resources, infectious diseases pose a growing threat to the world, and Ohio State has made infectious disease prevention, detection and management a priority. To raise awareness, our leading IDI researchers completed a TED-style speaker coaching program and are focused on translating their groundbreaking research to the community. These faculty experts are available to explain how their research is leading to discoveries and real-world solutions and what you can do to help this cause. If this could be of value to your organization, get involved by scheduling a TED-style talk for your team. Together, we can make a global impact.
Description
Our leadership team at The Ohio State University Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) recognizes that infectious disease research can be difficult to understand without training in this subject matter area. To solve this problem, we provide executive communication coaching to our faculty. Along with the professional development opportunity, we developed an outreach program to provide experts to give educational, TED-style talks in the community. These talks demonstrate how our research is contributing to discoveries and real-world solutions around the globe. Through these efforts, we will increase awareness of infectious disease research and establish thought leadership presence. Ohio State faculty with expertise in microbiology or infectious diseases are eligible to participate in executive communications training culminating in a Discovery Talks presentation and membership in the Discovery Talks speakers bureau. The Discovery Talks program provides faculty with TED-style storytelling speaker coaching from Ruth Milligan, founder and principal at Articulation Inc., one of the original curators for TEDx events, and current co-curator for TEDx Columbus. Ruth and her team work with faculty and students to advance their communication style. The faculty are then available to speak to the community in a compelling way to present information that places emphasis on stories and simplifies complex subject matter to one central idea, leading to greater understanding. I propose presenting the following perspectives (~8 min each) with time for questions/panel discussion: Anthology/history of TED with a timeline to set the stage and demonstrate translation possibilities and benefits for research faculty and the community – Ruth Milligan, Articulation Inc.; How does this program support the goals of the IDI? – Mike Oglesbee, director of Ohio State IDI; engagement strategy and experience of an IDI researcher and Discovery Talks participant – Debbie Goff, associate professor in the College of Pharmacy; student leadership development opportunities and how to be a speaker coach – Amy Barnes, director of Ohio State Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA); How is IDI using this program to engage the community and make infectious disease research more accessible? – Cathie Smith, chief operating officer and business development director of Ohio State IDI.
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Robyn Kroeger, Program Coordinator, OAA, kroeger.68@osu.edu (Corresponding Author); Ruth Milligan, Speaker Coach and TEDxColumbus Curator, Articulation, Inc.; Cathie Smith, Chief Operating Officer & Business Development Director of The Ohio State University IDI , OR; Mike Oglesbee, Director of The Ohio State University IDI, CVM; Amy Barnes, Director, Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) Program, College of Education and Human Ecology; Debbie Goff, Associate Professor, College of Pharmacy.