I have several upcoming public talks, panels, and workshops in May and June. Here they are all in one place!
Public talk! Endangered Species in U.S. Waters: What threatens, them, and how can we save them? May 16th in Baltimore through the Natural History Society of Maryland. Get tickets here.
Talk description: Over 100 marine species living in US waters are listed as Endangered or Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Well-known and beloved species like humpback whales and green sea turtles occupy spots on this list, as well as species that are not as familiar. In this talk, marine conservation biologist Dr. David Shiffman will go over the threats to these animals and what is needed to save them from extinction. He will also share success stories from past ocean conservation efforts and ways to get involved. We will learn about global conservation treaties and non-profit organizations that work in conservation. Be sure to bring your questions.
Keynote Address: How Lessons Learned from Shark Research, Conservation, and Education Can Help Advance Scholarly Communications. May 28th in Baltimore to open the 47th Society for Scholarly Publishing conference. Register for SSP here.
Talk description: Conservation scientists know that academic research is necessary, but not sufficient, to save endangered species. We need to change public attitudes and laws, and publishing our research in scientific journals is only one element of modern scholarly communications needed to drive that change. We need to break out of the ivory tower and talk to people to articulate our value, facilitate engagement, and gather support—but how can we do that effectively at scale on a polarizing topic? In this lecture, marine conservation biologist and award-winning public educator Dr. David Shiffman will share stories and lessons learned from a career studying sharks and educating the public about how to protect them as a framework for communicating the value of research in a challenging environment.
Panel. Future-Proofing Our Ocean: How Sustainable Fishing Supports Biodiversity. June 2nd in Washington, DC (National Press Club), hosted by the Marine Stewardship Council. Register for free here.
Description: Join us on Monday, June 2 for an evening exploring how ocean biodiversity and sustainable fishing practices are shaping the future of our planet. This event brings together leading voices in marine science and sustainable fishing for a dynamic panel discussion about the intersection of sustainable fishing and biodiversity. The event will also launch a new report by the Marine Stewardship Council highlighting sustainable fisheries that are contributing to ocean biodiversity around the world, as well as results from a never-before-seen global survey of ocean scientists.
Virtual Panel: Fifty Years of Jaws: A Blockbuster’s Impact on Hollywood and a Species. June 20th, Online, through Johns Hopkins “Hopkins at Home” program. Register for free here.
Description: Get ready to kick off summer with a jaw-dropping celebration of the 50th anniversary of JAWS where we’ll dive deep into the legacy of Spielberg’s blockbuster—and the real-world sharks that swim beneath the surface. Join Linda DeLibero (Senior Lecturer, Film and Media Studies) for a break down of the film’s iconic storytelling, behind-the-scenes magic, and its ripple effect on pop culture, along with renowned marine biologist and author of Why Sharks Matter, Dr. David Shiffman who will set the record straight on shark science, conservation, and the truth behind these misunderstood apex predators. From John Williams’ unforgettable score to surprising shark facts, this discussion will offer new insights for movie lovers and shark enthusiasts alike. (NOTE: Event page includes a 40% discount code for my book “Why Sharks Matter.)
Nerd Nite DC talk TBD. June 21, in Washington, DC through Nerd Nite DC. I will now be speaking at the July Nerd Nite DC event, not the June.
Virtual Workshop. SciComm with a Measurable Impact using Social Media. June 27th, online through the Association of Science Communicators. Register here.
Event description: Social media tools have made it easier than ever before for a small group of thoughtful people to change the world. When properly utilized, these tools can inform the public about a wide variety of problems, proposed evidence-based solutions, and mobilize popular support for change. However, too often they are improperly utilized, resulting in shouting into the void, wasted effort, and frustration. In this course, you’ll learn how to use social media and blogs to make a difference in the real world. We’ll discuss how to create measurable outcomes as part of your strategic communications plan, and how to measure them. We’ll discuss how to identify key stakeholders and target audiences, and how to craft messages that reach them. And we’ll discuss how to evaluate what went wrong-and how to adapt and try again.