Communicating with Decision-Makers

Clips from videos focusing on effective communication with decision-makers:

• Avoid Jargon: Margot Kushel, MD explains why it is important to not use jargon when speaking with decision-makers.
• Use Plain Language: Tomika Moss, Executive Director of All Home, a community organization partnering with Dr. Kushel, shares the importance of plain language.
• Keep it Simple: Naomi Bardach, MD and Yvette Edwards, Executive Member of Decreasing the Distance, share why it is important to keep it simple when explaining science and the “why” behind science.

Clips from videos focusing on strategic use of data:

• Change the Narrative: Oakland Mayor Libby Schaff states why it is important to use data to change the narrative.
• Tell Data-informed Stories: Dr. Margot Kushel, Tomika Moss, Executive Director, All Home, and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaff discuss using data-informed stories for policy change.
• Gather Stories: Oakland Mayor Libby Schaff shares how Dr. Margot’s Kushel’s data and story gathering turned into policy change.
• Validate the Community’s Story with Data: Tomika Moss, Executive Director, All Home shares how data validates the community’s story.
• Translate Data: Naomi Bardach, MD and Sailaja Suresh, Senior Director, Oakland Unified School District explain why it is important to help your audience interpret data.

The Changemakers Series engaged some of UCSF’s IMPACT-oriented scientists and their partners in government, community, and the media in discussions about how academics can be more strategic in accelerating evidence-informed policies and programs.  Their advice is compelling!  

• Using Research to Influence Local Policy: Oakland's Initiative to Support Older Adults Experiencing Homelessness: A partnership between a UCSF scientist, government officials, media, and advocacy organizations illustrating how structural inequities can be addressed by influencing local policies and programs that can be widely scaled. Panelists include: 
  • Margot Kushel, Professor of Medicine, UCSF
  • Libby Schaaf, Mayor, City of Oakland
  • Kevin Fagan, Reporter, SF Chronicle
  • Tomiquia Moss, Executive Director, All Home
• Synthesis and Communication of Evidence – COVID-19 and School Re-Opening Policies in the Bay Area: A discussion among a UCSF scientist, an advocacy organization, a government official, and a school official about how scientific evidence can be best translated for rapid dissemination to policymakers, community members, and other collaborators. Panelists include: 
  • Naomi Bardach, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, UCSF and Lead, California's Safe Schools for All Team
  • Yvette Edwards, Executive Member, Decreasing the Distance
  • Jenny Lam, Commissioner, San Francisco Board of Education
  • Sailaja Suresh, Senior Director of School Operations, Oakland Unified School District

Click here for clips from the Changemaker Series on IMPACT-oriented science topics.