All student workshops are on Saturday, November 7, 2026 from 2:15-3:15 PM

Workshop #1: Improv for Scientists

Rudra Thaker, University of Wisconsin-Madison

This workshop will be based on a 6 week university credit course Rudra took earlier in the Spring. The workshop, following the course, is about different improv techniques for effective science communication. There is no material to be taught in the workshop but rather different group activities. This includes the “yes and” method of communication, trusting your team games, and then finally a fun exercise of describing your research in 3 minutes, 1 minute, 30 seconds, and 10 seconds.

Improv in general has been considered to be a great tool to improvise science communication. This was first done in the field of medical sciences to navigate conversations with patients coming from different beliefs about medicine and was found super successful.

Workshop #2: Building Interdisciplinary Research Networks in Climate Science

Leah Van Dyke, University of California, Santa Cruz

Research questions are often inherently interdisciplinary, yet many students feel uncomfortable reaching out to potential collaborators outside of their primary field or may not know how to find researchers whose goals align with their own. This workshop discusses strategies and opportunities for graduate students to connect and work with researchers across disciplines, improve communication across fields, and identify opportunities for collaboration. Participants will discuss common challenges in interdisciplinary research, including differences in terminology, methods, and scientific perspectives, as well as strategies for overcoming barriers to communication and collaboration. Participants will also be encouraged to share organizations, scholarship opportunities, programs, and professional networks that have helped them connect with researchers, institutions, or collaborators outside of their primary field. The goal of the workshop is to emphasize how interdisciplinary approaches can strengthen climate research and help students identify both barriers and opportunities in building collaborative research networks.