Translating Research for Impact: The Power of Storytelling
Professional Development Certificate
Your research matters to you—but how do you make it matter to others? It is imperative that scholars, researchers and those engaged in the pursuit of knowledge and innovation know how to communicate their work to a wide range of audiences. When people understand what you do, why you do it, and how it benefits them, they are more likely to support your efforts, engage with your results, and benefit from your findings. The Graduate School’s Professional Development Team provides a structured approach for learning the skills to translate your research into a story that makes an impact through the pursuit of the Translating Research for Impact: The Power of Storytelling Certificate. This certificate was created in collaboration with the College of Engineering; however, ALL graduate students and postdoctoral scholars will benefit from this professional development offering. Enroll today.
This certificate, grounded in the KEEN Foundation framework and the College of Engineering’s Wolfpack Engineering Unleashed program, equips you with the skills to translate your complex research and your work into compelling stories that resonate with audiences from varied disciplines and levels of education. Whether you are pursuing grants, seeking public support, or sharing the value of your work, this program provides the practical insights needed to integrate the “Wolfpack Way” approach with our university’s signature “Think and Do” focus into your communication strategy. We welcome and encourage all graduate students to pursue this certificate, as storytelling is an essential tool for every researcher, teacher, scientist and scholar.
Who Can Participate?
Foundational Requirement
All of the following six (6) microlearning modules are required for this certificate and can be found on this Moodle project site:
- Storytelling: Character
- Storytelling: Collaboration
- Storytelling: Communication
- Storytelling: Connections
- Storytelling: Creating Value
- Storytelling: Curiosity
Electives Requirement
Three (3) of the following elective workshops are to be chosen and fully attended for the Certificate:
Teaching Focused
Storytelling as an Instructional Tool (New TA Workshop; August 21)
Storytelling represents an effective tool for promoting and facilitating learning because it transforms dry, abstract concepts into something that students will remember long after the class ends. Based on the KEEN Foundation framework and Wolfpack Engineering Unleashed program, this workshop will introduce you to the “INFUSE” method and show you how it can transform storytelling into an effective instructional tool. Join us to discover how this storytelling-based strategy can make your teaching more engaging, memorable, and impactful!
August 21, 1-1:50 p..m.; Centennial Campus, McKimmon Center
Storytelling as an Instructional Tool (August 31)
Storytelling represents an effective tool for promoting and facilitating learning because it transforms dry, abstract concepts into something that students will remember long after the class ends. Based on the KEEN Foundation framework and Wolfpack Engineering Unleashed program, this workshop will introduce you to the “INFUSE” method and show you how it can transform storytelling into an effective instructional tool. Join us to discover how this storytelling-based strategy can make your teaching more engaging, memorable, and impactful!
August 21, 4-5:30 p.m.; Talley Student Union, Room 4270
Designing for Engagement (September 21)
Based on the KEEN Foundation framework and Wolfpack Engineering Unleashed program, this workshop will explore strategies and approaches for designing engaging learning environments by applying insights from the INFUSE method.
September 21, 4-5:30 p.m.; Talley Student Union, Room 4270
Assessing For Learning (October 12)
Guided by the 6Cs model of the KEEN Foundation framework and Wolfpack Engineering Unleashed program, this workshop will explore different approaches to assessment for promoting student success (e.g., Formative Assessment).
October 12, 4-5:30 p.m.; Talley Student Union, Room 4270
Communication Skills Focused
Speaking Your Research Story (October 13)
Presenting your research can feel intimidating, no matter if it is for a job interview or a research conference. As a part of the Translating Research for Impact series, this workshop will discuss public speaking strategies for presenting your research story with clarity and confidence.
October 13, 3-4:30 p.m.; The Graduate School Conference Room 2328
Communicating with Stakeholders (October 21)
Identifying stakeholders in your research can be a helpful step in understanding how to tailor your written and oral communication for a particular audience. As a part of the Translating Research for Impact series, this workshop will assist in identifying stakeholders in research and create effective communication practices to help promote your academic and professional research.
October 21, 3-4:30 p.m.; Albright Entrepreneurship Garage Classroom
INFUSE’d Research Storytelling (November 13)
Crafting stories from your research can help provide a presentation structure that can be adapted for different audiences. As a part of the Translating Research for Impact series, this workshop will utilize the INFUSE method as a way to approach organizing and creating stories to highlight the significance of your research for written and oral communication situations.
November 13, Noon-1:30 p.m.; Zoom
Experience Requirement
One (1) of the following is required for the Certificate:
- Participate in the Graduate School’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition
- Participate in a departmental or college Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition
- Provide a presentation that includes elements of storytelling learned from the foundational and elective workshops listed above
- Teach a class that includes elements of storytelling learned from the foundational and elective workshops listed above
- Facilitate a presentation at a conference that includes a storytelling element
Reflection Requirement
A typed, double-spaced reflection paper is required for this Certificate with answers to the following questions:
- Date, time, location, audience and title for your “storytelling” experience
- Which of the 6 C’s (from the microlearning modules) did you use for your storytelling experience and how did you use these 6 C’s?
- Which tools from the elective workshops you attended did you use for your storytelling? How did these help you formulate your story?
- What was the outcome of your story? What went well and what would you do differently?
- What did you learn about yourself from engaging in a storytelling experience? What did you learn about others who listened to your story?
- Additional thoughts about your storytelling experience.
- A testimonial you would like to share about the Certificate.
Submission of Reflection: Participants are to submit their 5 to 7 page double-spaced, typed paper through Moodle as there is a submission box on that site for the reflections. Please allow two weeks for a member of the Professional Development Team to read the reflection, review completion of the foundational and elective requirements, and send the Certificate.