SciComm Lab: A National MRSEC Resource

The Brandeis SciComm Lab expanded its impact beyond its home institution to serve the broader MRSEC community nationwide, providing science communication training through individual coaching, targeted workshops, and specialized programming. This year, the Lab delivered its Talk So People Will Listen workshop to the University of Texas at Austin MRSEC in a hybrid format, reaching 30 graduate students and researchers. The workshop immediately translated into practical outcomes: one graduate student sought one-on-one coaching afterward to strengthen an award application, reporting that the consultation helped them develop a clear vision and compelling narrative hook.

Effective science communication is essential for translating complex materials research into accessible ideas for funders, collaborators, policymakers, and the public. The SciComm Lab advances MRSEC goals by building communication capacity within the materials science workforce, equipping researchers early in their careers with strategies to communicate the rationale, process, and significance of their science. In doing so, it strengthens their ability to secure funding, build interdisciplinary collaborations, and broaden the societal impact of MRSEC-supported research. By extending this resource nationally, the Lab amplifies the MRSEC model of integrating cutting-edge research with professional development and broader impacts across centers.