Cactus Communications (CACTUS), a global science communications organization, hosted a workshop on November 13 at IIT Bombay on science communication. The objective of the workshop was to equip participants with skills needed for strategic science publication and outreach for wider impact of their research and academic careers. The workshop was conducted in partnership with Central Library at IIT Bombay and was attended by over 200 research scholars from the institute.
This is the first comprehensive science writing and communication training program provided to participants at IIT Bombay. Dr. Shivanee Shah, Senior Managing Editor at Impact Science (a CACTUS division), conducted a session on scientific writing and offered advice on effective presentations and networking at research conferences. Prof. Harini Calamur, Head of Impact Science, spoke about the latest trends in science communication and how researchers can expand the impact of their research beyond academia. Prof. Arnab Bhattacharya, IIT Bombay alumni and scientist/lecturer at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), gave an inspiring talk on the importance of science communication. The workshop used an application-based approach: the participants were asked to draft a piece based on data provided and had to give group presentations.
IIT Bombay, known as one of India’s premier research institutes, aims to expand the scope of its research impact beyond academia. Dr. Manju Naika, Chief Library Officer (CLO) at Central Library, IIT Bombay, asked the participants to make use of this workshop to achieve excellence in their research writing with the broad aim of solving global issues through their research. “The current generation of researchers needs to be equipped with science communication skills for their research work to have a global impact. This workshop was organized to provide researchers with an opportunity to focus on the critical aspects of research writing and science communication. I’d like to thank CACTUS for organizing this informative and valuable one-day workshop at IIT Bombay,” said Dr. Naika.
The workshop was well received by the participants. The Q&A session indicated that the participants found the sessions insightful and the workshop broadened their understanding of science communication and science impact beyond publication. The workshop leveraged the expertise of Editage, the flagship CACTUS brand that offers transcription, translation, editing, and journal publication services, and Impact Science, a CACTUS solution that specializes in engagement and communication services aimed at expanding research impact.
Ashutosh Ghildiyal, Head of Institutional Partnerships at CACTUS, is confident that this workshop helped students expand their horizons. “We wanted to make sure that the students were exposed to the latest trends in scientific communication, so we decided to combine the knowledge and expertise offered by our two divisions, Editage and Impact Science. We look forward to conducting many more of such workshops at premier institutes like IIT Bombay to introduce the brightest minds in the country to science communication.”
To know more about the workshop, contact imagine@editage.com