SIGMI Conference on Sustainable & Inclusive Mobility - Sustainable Communication by Jocelyn Keller

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The value of the information lies in its practicality: Keller offers actionable strategies for science communicators, such as using prompts for association, understanding audience prototypes, and employing storytelling. She supports her arguments with references to established figures like Deborah Tannen and Scott Shigeoka, and provides concrete examples from the mobility sector (e.g., BVG’s ‘yellow at heart, green at heart’ campaign). However, the argumentation is primarily based on personal experience and general principles rather than empirical evidence; no studies or data are cited to measure effectiveness. The reasoning is coherent and persuasive, but the lack of verifiable outcomes weakens the overall scientific rigor.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The speaker demonstrates good scientific rigor by clearly defining terms and referencing credible sources: E.O. Wilson’s quote on human nature, Deborah Tannen’s distinction between academic and public writing, Scott Shigeoka’s ‘Bridging Differences’ playbook, and UC Berkeley’s ‘Promoting Sustainable Behavior’ guide (likely from the university website). She also mentions AAAS guidelines for communication. However, she does not provide URLs or full citations, reducing traceability. The title ‘Sustainable Communication’ accurately reflects the content, which focuses on communication strategies for sustainability topics, particularly mobility. The structure follows a logical flow from audience research to specific examples and practical exercises, aligning well with the title.

The title accurately represents the content, which is dedicated to sustainable communication strategies for sustainability topics, particularly in the context of mobility.

8/10

The presentation is well-structured and grounded in established communication theories, citing noted scholars like E.O. Wilson, Deborah Tannen, and Scott Shigeoka. The speaker's expertise as a linguist and communication specialist is evident, yet the advice is largely anecdotal and lacks empirical data or case studies with measurable outcomes.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 00:00Introduction and overview of the workshop objectives, including the importance of understanding audiences.
• 04:30Discussion on researching and preparing for communication with a specific audience, including the example of the presenter's preparation.
• 09:00Definitions of 'communicate' and 'connect', introducing the concepts of sharing and common ground.
• 15:00Exploration of 'bridging differences' and the role of storytelling, illustrated with the bridge anecdote.
• 20:00Comparison between scientific communication and science communication, including structural differences.
• 25:00Examples from sustainable mobility: alliteration, acronyms, and the BVG campaign.
• 30:00Introduction to UC Berkeley guidelines and the Bridging Differences playbook, with upcoming workshop exercises.

• LinkedIn - MicroEnergy Systems Research Group — Official social media page provided in the video description.
• E.O. Wilson on human condition — Quote about paleolithic emotions and modern technology.
• Deborah Tannen on writing for general audiences — Quote contrasting scientific and science communication.
• Scott Shigeoka's Bridging Differences Playbook — Referenced for techniques to bridge differences.
• UC Berkeley's Promoting Sustainable Behavior — Guidelines for promoting sustainable behavior.
• AAAS guidelines on science communication — Models for communicating to different audiences.