Improving trainee engagement in science: Lessons from a virtual seminar series

Area of Science:

• Aging research
• Scientific communication
• Trainee education

Background:

• Researchers require skills beyond laboratory work, including communication and event organization.
• Traditional scientific training often lacks emphasis on developing these crucial non-bench skills for students and postdocs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the virtual Aging Science Talks seminar series and Slack group in engaging scientific trainees.
• To identify key advantages of this virtual format for fostering trainee participation in scientific discourse.

Main Methods:

• The study reflects on the virtual Aging Science Talks seminar series and associated Slack group.
• Qualitative assessment of trainee engagement and participation in discussions and Q&A sessions.

Main Results:

• The virtual format provided significant benefits to the scientific community during pandemic-related lab shutdowns.
• Trainees were particularly engaged by the virtual seminar series, indicating a successful shift in participation dynamics.

Conclusions:

• The Aging Science Talks model demonstrates a successful approach to increasing trainee involvement in scientific seminars.
• Future scientific events should adopt similar strategies to ensure more inclusive discussions and Q&A sessions, moving away from PI-dominated formats.