The BALEAP STEM SIG held a well attended event on December 17th, facilitated by Laura Duncan, which explored misconceptions around communication in STEM.

Topics put forward for consideration were:

• Different types of STEM communication (academic, public, student-to-tutor)
• Common beliefs about STEM writing and communication styles
• Strategies for teaching STEM communication effectively

Participants discussed the topics in two breakout rooms and the proceedings were documented in the discussion below the event page.

Observations and comments from the breakout rooms included (in no particular order):

• The recognition of STEM as including many different distinct areas hence differences in communication within the ‘STEM genre’
• STEM students misconceptions about what they need to do to communicate in their area, both as students and as future professionals
• Need for students to consider communication outside their specific subject area – eg working with colleagues from different disciplines, writing grant proposals
• Need for STEM students to be aware of audience and purpose and the need to be flexible in writing and speaking in different genres and the role
• STEM students’ reluctance to communicate – to engage in language learning and speaking
• Rapidly changing communication landscape in science (eg formats – blogs, TikTok and vocabulary – ‘yessification’)

Recordings of the pre- and post- event discussions are available below.

Recording – pre-breakout rooms discussion

Recording – post breakout room discussion