Stand up for Science: Practical Approaches to Discussing Science that Matters

Information about Joyce Lee

What is your name, title, and role at the University of Michigan?

Joyce Lee, MD, MPH; Robert P. Kelch, MD Research Professor of Pediatrics; Associate Professor, University of Michigan Medical School and School of Public Health

Why are your public engagement efforts in education and/or outreach important (to you and/or to the cause you’re working to promote)?

I am a strong advocate for healthcare professionals and researchers to have a presence on social media, not only to disseminate their work to the public, but also to be part of a larger public conversation that is happening on social media platforms. I have created a number of different types of content to support the adoption of social media. 

Here is the most updated resource on my website: 

http://www.doctorasdesigner.com/socialmedia/

Joyce Lee on Audience

Who do you interact with when working in education and/or outreach? What makes this audience different from other groups that you might interact with?

I interact with medical students, healthcare providers (residents, fellows, attendings), health policy researchers, and public health students.  

What suggestions do you have for making interactions with educators, learners, and/or lay-audiences as effective as possible?

I try to tell stories about how social media has been used in research. There are many inspiring examples regarding the ROI of social media.  

What is the biggest challenge you face when trying to work with educators, learners, and/or lay-audiences? What is the biggest reward?

There is a general attitude that social media is “a waste of time.”  

What are you trying to accomplish when you write to or speak with educators, learners, and/or lay-audiences?

Understanding that digital citizenship is a part of being a healthcare provider and researcher, teaching about the different interface aspects and types of communication that happen on different social media platforms, and teaching how to use social media for professional development, for research, and for outreach.

Joyce Lee on Messaging

When you’re planning to interact with educators, learners, and/or lay-audiences, how do you decide what you want to focus on?

If a scientist wanted a single idea to “stick” in the mind of an educator, learner, or lay-audience member, what advice would you give them as to how best to shape/pitch that idea? 

You need a good story or narrative, graphics are important (not just text), and the use of metaphor in the writing is important as well.