Through the Brackenridge program, I was placed with others who not only came from a different major/educational background than me, but their projects were also extremely unique compared to anything I’ve read about before.
As a researcher delving into the fascinating world of neuroscience, I had always been keen on understanding the underlying mechanisms of curiosity in monkeys. My work involved obtaining brainwave data from monkeys, a critical step in investigating the intricate aspects of their curiosity. However, I soon realized that effectively communicating such complex scientific topics to students of various majors and fields of study was a challenge in itself.
The first obstacle I encountered was bridging the gap between complex scientific jargon and layman’s terms. Trying to describe the intricacies of brainwave data and curiosity mechanisms was like attempting to translate a foreign language. Most students were genuinely curious but found it challenging to grasp the essence of my research due to the technical language I used and the unfamiliarity of the software I spent most of my time in. One way I helped understand my audience was by asking what type of majors/biological science classes they have taken to see what type of background knowledge I could skip while explaining my updates in research. As well, by establishing terms I use like Online vs Offline sorting which aren’t apparent, it also allows me to talk more naturally as these are terms I use within the lab.
Recognizing the importance of making my research accessible to everyone, I took a step back and reevaluated my presentation approach. I began by breaking down complex concepts into simpler, relatable analogies. Drawing parallels between specific features in the data to things we could all recognize helped the audience grasp the subject matter more easily.I also relied on engaging visuals and demonstrations to simplify complex concepts. Visualizing brainwave patterns and using interactive tools allowed students to visualize the data, making it less intimidating and more interesting.
Learning about other’s research and how they are able to utilize similar research skills as me to accomplish their goals was super interesting and definitely broadened my horizons for what falls under the term research. These lectures and my group members have taught me lots about communicating research to all different types of people.