rethinking your expertise
Objectives
In this unit we will help you think about claiming, translating, and broadening your expertise for non-academic audiences
TO Do
Listen to the “Rethinking Your Expertise” podcast (either here on the website or through the Storyboard app) or read the transcript
Check out the slideshow, which prompts you to think about claiming, translating, and broadening your expertise for public audiences
If you are not meeting / completing this activity in real time, submit your materials for the “Credibility Madlibs” activity by 26 May and offer feedback to your pod members by 28 May
Review the additional resources as your schedule and bandwidth allow
Podcast
Not a podcast person? Read the transcript!
Slideshow
password: S@credWr1tes!
Activity
[Adapted from The Op-Ed Project peak credibility game)]
Question
How can you present your expertise in board terms that non-experts can understand?
Goal
Have your public-facing scholar intro ready to go when journalists, politicians, etc. come a-calling!
Assignment
Practice this formula:
Hello, I’m ____________.
I’m an expert in ____________________
because ______________.
Rules
Use exact credibility formula
Be specific
Pick one subject to be an expert in (you are likely an expert in many things)
No notes!!
Consenting to Feedback
We want to make sure this exercise builds your confidence, and owing our expertise makes us vulnerable. So below you receive any feedback from your pod, please specify if you
prefer only comments about is working well or
are open to constructive feed back about what to improve on
Share
Decide as a pod the format you want to use (share audio/video files, jump on a video chat). Each cohort member gets one shot. If you’re uploading files, be sure to have your materials on our shared drive by 26 May at midnight.
Review & Respond
Check out your public scholarship pod members' madlibs! (Remember to check for notes about what kind of feedback your podmates have requested.)
Arrange a way to discuss this exercise with your podmates. Discussion format is up to you: video chat, old fashioned phone call, DMs, asynchronous written feedback -- whatever works best for your group is A-OK with us. You and your podmates should provide and discuss your feedback before 28 May.
n.b. the podcast says you’re submitting your madlibs to Liz as well, but we decided to make that part optional this time. If you want to discuss your credibility madlibs with Liz, please schedule an appointment during her office hours.
As always, feel free to reach out if you have questions! Looking forward to seeing y’all reframe your expertise.
Additional Resources
If/as you have time, check out these resources before moving on to the next unit. Let us know what you think on twitter (#SmartInPublic)!
Pryal, “You Want to Write for the Public, but about What?” Chronicle of Higher Ed (10 January 2020)
Givhan, “Masks Are Here to Stay,” Washington Post (5 May 2020)
this is the piece Liz mentions contributing to in the podcast
Cottom, “Your Success Probably Didn’t Come from Merit Alone,” New York Times (13 April 2021)