Stony Brook’s “Spokesman for Science,” famed actor Alan Alda, spoke to the New York Times about his new mission: helping train scientists to communicate to a wider audience.
In a February 24 article Alda described the activities of Stony Brook’s Center for Communicating Science and invited readers to participate in the 2014 edition of the worldwide “Flame Challenge” contest.
In the interview Alda described the origins of the Center for Communicating Science: “Could we teach courses to turn scientists into capable communicators? I believed I had techniques from acting, directing and writing that could help. I didn’t get interest anywhere except at Stony Brook.”
The annual Flame Challenge contest is part of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science’s mission of helping scientists communicate more effectively with the public. Located in Stony Brook University’s School of Journalism, the Alda Center gives innovative Communicating Science courses for graduate students in the sciences, and conducts workshops around the country. Alan Alda is a founding member of the Alda Center and a Visiting Professor in the School of Journalism.
Read the New York Times article and view video >
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