Article archive / April 1, 2014
Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 8. Source pages: 13, 14.
Tulane’s Professor and Dean, Dr. Janet Ruscher, is helping launch the new series about how those in psychology should talk to the rest of the world.
The new series, “Speaking of Science,” premiered in the January issue of Observer, the magazine of the Association for Psychological Science (APS).
The new column focused on what is called “science writing,” which highlight ways psychological scientists and psychologists can bridge the gap and put complex issues into clear, understandable, and interesting ways for people outside the discipline.
The new series will focus on communicating psychology to diverse audiences such as teachers, community leaders, and the media.
Dr. Ruscher wrote the inaugural column, “The Elevator Talk.” She is an APS Fellow, professor of psychology, and associate dean of graduate programs in the Tulane University School of Science and Engineering. Ruscher has chaired three conventions for the national association.
In her column Ruscher outlines some key to communicate with clarity, brevity, and an understanding of listeners.
When asked what we do, she explains, our listeners usually hear: “’I am neither able nor willing to communicate effectively about what I do and why it matters, except to people in my own narrow discipline.’ Out come the jargon, acronyms, minutiae, and esoterica.”
Ruscher points to the concept of the Elevator Talk, sometimes also called the elevator pitch.
“It is the quick sell,” she notes, “the 2-minute drill, the abstract of the abstract, the unique DNA of each scholar’s work. It typically is 100– 150 words, about the length of a journal abstract — just long enough for a short elevator ride.”
Ruscher tells us that not only must we be brief but “accessible.” The talk must be “devoid of jargon” and use the perspective of the listener as a foundation.
She says to focus on why the work is intriguing, useful, or important. She recommends we provide the “hook” for grabbing interest and attention.
Ruscher also reminds us that we have to do the work for the audience. Saying something in fewer words takes more effort. “No jaron. No acronyms.”
“… you never should be found without a working elevator talk,” she warns. “The complexity or ‘nonsexiness’ of a scholar’s work should not prevent him or her from having an elevator talk. I’ve heard effective elevator talks about fluid mechanics, the many-body problem, robot decision-making algorithms, and protein folding. Find a way to make it work,” she wrote.
“Be creative. Use analogy. Be brief.”
Dr. Ruscher’s complete column can be found at the APS website: www.psychologicalscience.org
Tulane’s Dr. Janet Ruscher Courtesy photo
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.