Telling Our Story
Building Support >Telling Our Story
On this page:
How is UC ANR making a difference for Californians?
Communicating science
Telling a good story
Writing your message
Infographics
Working with the media
Read further to learn the difference we make at UC ANR, best practices for communicating science, how to tell stories, and how to share our results.
How is UC ANR making a difference for Californians?
An overview of UC ANR (PDF)
Who are we? (PDF)
Impact numbers and stories (Project Planning & Evaluation web)
UC ANR Press Kits (Web)
UC Delivers (Web)
Federal Reports and Plans (Web)
UC ANRPublic Value Statements (Web) and see below
Communicating Science
Getting to the Heart of Science Communication (Video) - At a community fire day in a northern California town several years ago, author Faith Kearns gave a talk on building fire-safe houses able to withstand increasingly common wildfires. Much to her surprise, Kearns was confronted by an audience member whose house had recently burned. What she thought was straightforward, helpful scientific information had instead retraumatized audience members, forcing Kearns to reevaluate her approach. (Bookshop.org)
Tips on communicating Science Fact Sheet (Kat Kerlin, UC Davis) -In communicating science, start with: 1). An understanding of your audience and then 2). Consider two parts - “What the message is” and “how the message is delivered”. If these are done well, then people will listen.
Top of page.
Telling a good story
"Knowing How to Tell a Good Story Is Like Having Mind Control" (Video, Alan Alda). Stories are a universal human communication tool. They move us, connect us, and inspire us. Telling a good story takes skill. Learning how to tell a story does not guarantee getting your point across, but it can help you connect with your audience and make your topic more memorable.
"How to tell a great story" Article Carolyn O'Hara, Harvard Business review
Writing your message
UC ANR Communications toolkit - UC ANR core messaging is based on brand and market research that included significant input from UC ANR stakeholders and clients.
How to write an Impact Statements (PPE Website) A success story shows that UC ANR is making a difference in people’s lives. It describes positive change and demonstrates how that change benefits the people of California. A good success story uses evidence from evaluation to show the value of UC Cooperative Extension.
Public Value statements - What are they? First, start with private value: Value derived directly by an individual or group from an educational or research program (i.e., a learning or behavior change) for example, individuals save money by reducing pesticide use. Now for public value: The value of a program to the broader society - those who do not directly benefit from the program (i.e., a condition change). For example, society has improved Water quality and a healthier environment. UC ANR uses its seven public values to communicate how our work makes a difference to the public. Fact Sheet.
About Public Value Statements WebANR (Video, 41:00)
About Condition Changes WebANR (Video, 39:00)
What should be measured to demonstrate the value of UC ANR programs (PDF) - Learn how to measure public value.
Statewide example of Public Value measurements (PDF)
Infographics
Awesome infographic ideas - Infographics provide bite sized information that make it easier for your audience to learn about results of your program.
40 of the best infographics to inspire you- Canva
Working with the Media
It is important to prepare before contacting the media. Partner with UC ANR Strat Comm to help you share your story.
Talking to the media A Checklist
Productive Publicity: Media Relations Brochure (PDF)
Writing an event News release (Template PDF)
Writing a News Release Template (PDF)
Submitting a News Release (for distribution by the ANR News and Information Office) (ANR online form)