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CERF 2019 Workshop:

Analyzing, Synthesizing and Communicating Your Data

Bill Dennison & Heath Kelsey

Date: Sunday, 3 November
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Regular: $25
Student: $15

About this Workshop

Coastal and estuarine research encompasses monitoring data collected for a myriad of purposes. Whether it is for determining changes in water quality, evaluating climate change effects, protecting human health, establishing baseline conditions, measuring results of restoration activities, or modeling future conditions, synthesizing and communicating results is an essential part of using the data. Too often, monitoring datasets are not used to their full potential for managing, restoring, and protecting coastal and estuarine resources. This cross-cutting two-hour workshop touches on a variety of conference priorities, such as statistics and data processing, science communication and education/outreach, and diversity and inclusion.

This workshop is intended for anyone working in a science or research field and at any career level. Students, early career, mid-career, or advanced professionals are all welcome. The workshop is applicable for participants from non-governmental organizations, academia, private sector, and federal, state, tribal, and local governments. Anyone interested in improving their data interpretation and science communication skills is encouraged to participate. This workshop will provide a brief overview of data analysis and synthesis techniques, and touch on science communication best practices.

The majority of the session will include hands-on activities, where participants will use their own data to conduct analysis and synthesis. The results of the data discovery portion will be used to create data visualizations for the participant’s intended audience. Science communication strategies will be discussed and multiple products will be reviewed to help the participant choose the communication products to best help them share their results and reach their intended audiences. Participants will walk away with new tools, techniques, and visualizations customized to their monitoring data and program goals. As a result of attending this workshop, participants will gain information and knowledge about data analysis, synthesis, and communication. Participants will learn new ways to analyze their data. By using different data analysis techniques, participants will be able to synthesize and integrate multiple types of data. Participants will create their own data visualizations using the results of the analysis and synthesis techniques. Participants will learn how to use data visualizations to communicate their research to multiple audiences. Participants should bring a laptop with them. 

About the Presenter:

Dr. Bill Dennison is a Professor of Marine Science and Vice President for Science Applications at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES). Dr. Dennison’s primary mission within UMCES is to coordinate the Integration and Application Network.

Heath Kelsey is Director of the Integration and Application Network at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. Dr. Kelsey has developed more than 20 ecosystem health report cards for coastal and riverine ecosystems worldwide. Dr. Kelsey has expertise in meaningful stakeholder engagement for ecosystem research, restoration, and planning to help communities identify a shared vision for their ecosystem. His specialties include science communication, environmental and public health assessment, ecosystem health indicators, and stakeholder engagement. Dr. Kelsey received his MSPH and PhD from The University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health in 2000 and 2006. Dr. Kelsey was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Papua New Guinea from 1995-1998.