How language and communication influence behaviour

In the world of STEM PR, we use the written and spoken word every day to convey complex messages about scientific research to different audiences. But have you ever really thought about the type of language you use, how you use it, and what effect it might have on the audience’s behaviour?

And I’m not just talking about what we write in press releases or news stories aimed the general public. A lot of our job involves negotiating with partner organisations, influencing the government or industry, convincing scientists and clinicians to talk about their research and the importance in doing so, or talking to patients on the phone about stories they’ve read in the paper. The way we use language in all these different situations is very important.

We’ve invited Dr Jessica Barnes from the Behavioural Insights Team – a company part-owned by the UK government, the innovation charity Nesta and its own employees, dedicated to the application of behavioural sciences – to discuss why we should think about how communication influences behaviour, and how insights from behavioural science can guide us in using language to have a positive effect.

Jessica is interested in doing more research into language and behavior in STEM disciplines, so she’d also like to pick the audience’s brains, which we’ll leave time for at the end.

If you are a Stempra member, please join us at the Science Media Centre, 183 Euston Road NW1 2BE, on Thursday 23rd of February at 6:30 pm. Drinks will be served after the talk and questions, and we can continue at the pub if they kick us out. To join us, simply register on eventbrite (or email events@stempra.org.uk if you’re having any trouble with that).

As always, our events are free and open to all Stempra members. Non-members who would like to attend can join on the night.