Introduction to Research Storytelling

This engaging, hour-long, in-person session focuses on transforming complex research into clear, compelling narratives. Participants will explore techniques to identify and avoid jargon, craft simple yet impactful research stories, and deliver concise, engaging explanations through an interactive elevator speech activity.  Open to faculty members from all disciplines, the session is limited to 30 participants to ensure a collaborative and interactive experience. 

Presenter:  

Darcy J. Gentleman, Ph.D., has over 15 years of professional science communications experience (http://audiencesfirst.com/). Principal and Founder of DJG Communications LLC, Darcy has coached over 200 speakers and run self-designed research storytelling workshops for 500+ presenters across the academic, public, and private sectors. He has been deeply involved with institutional and philanthropically-funded efforts to enhance the quality and diversity of science communications. Darcy consults on educational strategy for Planet Forward, a multi-institutional publishing platform based at the George Washington University (GWU) that amplifies student-led storytelling on climate and sustainability issues. From 2019-2020, he served on the inaugural Board of the Science Communicators Training Network and simultaneously taught science communications as an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at GWU. At the American Chemical Society from 2008-2018, Darcy spearheaded and contributed to several science communication efforts: policy briefings, a training and contest program, a YouTube chemistry series (@ACSReactions), and was a peer-review editor for generalist content in Environmental Science & Technology. From 2020-2024, Darcy contributed his science engagement talents to public health, working at the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) to aid its external stakeholder engagement efforts and as an executive speaker coach. Darcy has a Ph.D. and M.S. in analytical chemistry from Arizona State University (2003, 2001), supported by NASA’s astrobiology program, and an Hon.B.Sc. in planetary science and chemistry from the University of Toronto (1999). He is also an alumnus of The Banff Centre’s Science Communications program (2008) and attended the Summer Institute at The Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science (2014). Darcy is a distance runner, having finished five marathons, and enjoys travel, cuisine, and crossword puzzles. He lives in Charlottesville, VA, with his wife, Silvia, and their bouncy 4-year-old rescue dog, Tallulah.