Virtually Engaging Audiences: Supporting Scientist Engagement Efforts

Abstract:

An effective way to reach distributed audiences is through virtual engagement opportunities. Over the years, the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Division (ARES) and Science and Exploration Department, Jacobs/JETS science engagement staff at the NASA Johnson Space Center have supported Subject Matter Expert (SME) virtual interactions with audiences through webinars and virtual tours. Over the years, these types of events have not typically dominated the varieties of SME interactions we facilitate. Now, however, as our nation navigates the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for these types of virtual experiences has drastically increased. SMEs now find themselves transitioning from in-person to virtual events. This has led to individual inquiries and increased requests for support.

To support SMEs, our team initiated a plan to implement a set of virtual trainings. As this particular support recently increased since the spring of 2020, we have transformed the types of trainings for SMEs from being primarily informal and individualized with preparations for specific events to also include trainings for multiple SMEs that can address this overall emerging need. This opportunity to increase support for SMEs aims to: 1) highlight the similarities and differences in engaging audiences virtually versus in-person; 2) provide recommendations about virtual engagement efforts; 3) model useful techniques and strategies during virtual trainings. We reinforce that many virtual strategies incorporate best practices SMEs may have already been using when connecting with audiences in person. These strategies however must take into account the virtual nature of the connections and how to navigate and manage the virtual environment in order to foster effective and efficient engagement. As trainings continue through the fall of 2020, we will assess SME interest and the effectiveness of the trainings in preparing them for virtual engagements. We will share our recommendations, training efforts, and SME feedback used to drive our continued support for them and their virtual science engagement efforts.