ABOUT THE BOOK
Championing Science shows you how to have conversations and present information at work so you can build support for your ideas. It’s your roadmap for handling the range of important situations where your ability to communicate matters. You will learn to make a bigger impact on cross-functional teams and how to win over decision makers, colleagues, policymakers, sponsors and funders.
Vital Skills You Didn’t Learn in School
This book covers vital communications and relationship-building skills that most STEM graduates didn’t learn in school. Through instruction, conversation starters, interviews, examples and checklists, you’ll be prepared to make the most of meetings, brainstorm sessions, seminars, program reviews, presentations and proposal discussions.
Championing Science will give you the confidence to know what to say, when to say it and how to ensure the people listening to you understand.
What Makes Championing Science Different?
The book is not focused on talking with the public or other academics – although several of the concepts apply. Championing Science builds communication skills for success at work. It helps you create new habits that transcend the pitfalls of your academic training.
Championing Science is ideal for postdocs, early career STEM professionals and anyone who wants to communicate with greater clarity and impact. It’s based on research, insights and the combined 80-year career success of co-authors Amy and Roger Aines who have helped STEM professionals win funding and support for their important work. The Aines duo lectures, workshops and webinars have earned high praise for the concrete actionable advice they impart. Principles from Championing Science can be applied to every important communication situation when listeners don’t share your expertise or knowledge of the topic.
Be Ready, Be Confident
Want to be ready for your next big meeting or presentation at work? Order Championing Science today!
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
DR. ROGER D. AINES
Chief Scientist of the Energy Program and Geochemist
Roger Aines develops climate and energy technologies, working for 30 years in the US national laboratory system. He has delivered and endured countless scientific presentations – recognizing the value of effective communication. Applying his principles for championing science, Roger has helped dozens of funders, collaborators and peers to support his work. He regularly coaches colleagues in the art of presentation preparation and delivery. Roger is the Chief Scientist of the Energy Program at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Since 1984 Roger’s work has spanned nuclear waste disposal, environmental remediation, applying stochastic methods to inversion and data fusion, managing carbon emissions and sequestration monitoring and verification methods. Roger received research funding from the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency, a number of corporations and private foundations to address future climate challenges. He received one of the early round of ARPA-E grants to study carbon dioxide capture.
Roger takes an integrated view of the energy, climate, and environmental aspects of carbon-based fuel production and use. His current focus is on efficient ways to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and safer methods for producing environmentally clean fuel. He holds 12 patents and has authored more than 100 publications.
Roger holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from Carleton College, and Doctor of Philosophy in geochemistry from the California Institute of Technology.
AMY L. AINES
Founder and CEO Damianakes Communications
Explaining T1 multiplexers to prospects and the press launched Amy Aines’ technical communications career. Since then she has helped scientists and technologists communicate breakthrough ideas on topics ranging from remote network management to wireless location algorithms to new treatments for rare and neglected diseases. Hundreds of technical experts tell more compelling stories and get their audiences to listen and take action thanks to Amy’s counsel.
Amy is a messaging strategist, speaker coach and accomplished presenter. She got her start teaching presentations skills as an undergraduate in 1978 when she was asked to co-teach public speaking at Santa Barbara City College. Amy’s passion for finding the right words has enabled her to successfully position new technologies, companies and their leaders.
Early in her career Amy managed marketing and technical communications for T1 multiplexer manufacturer, Coastcom. Her knowledge of voice and data networking led to her next role managing public relations for PacTel Spectrum Services. She spent the following decade as corporate spokesperson for Baby Bell Pacific Telesis Group and leading communications for its wireless spin-off AirTouch Communications. In 1999 Amy founded Damianakes Communications, a boutique consulting firm that provides strategic communications counsel to start-ups and global giants in tech, telecom, biotech and healthcare. With the launch of Championing Science, Amy is focused on helping scientists communicate with impact.
Amy received her BA in Communications Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara and is a certified Human Capital Strategist through the Human Capital Institute.