Communicating to Diverse Audiences

Overview

In today’s interconnected world, the ability to communicate effectively across differences is an essential skill. This course introduces strategies for engaging diverse audiences with clarity, empathy, and impact. Through focused modules on the power of storytelling and presentation skills, learners will develop practical tools to craft compelling messages that resonate across a range of backgrounds and settings.

Syllabus

INTRODUCING YOU TO COMMUNICATING TO DIVERSE AUDIENCES

This opening module sets the stage for the course and highlights the importance of effective, audience-centered communication in today’s diverse professional environments. You’ll explore how communication connects to your Individual Development Plan (IDP), hear stories from graduate students, postdocs, alumni, and faculty, and learn foundational strategies for engaging different audiences. You’ll also complete a short assignment to practice tailoring a message to varied audiences using key communication principles.

COMMUNICATION USING STORYTELLING

This module highlights storytelling as a communication strategy usable in a variety of fields and settings. The module introduces storytelling in general, key aspects of using storytelling effectively to share ideas, and concrete examples from the field of public health.

EFFECTIVE PRESENTATION SKILLS

This module introduces the importance of developing effective presentation skills in academic, professional, and social settings. In this module, you will learn about the elements of effective presentations, how to deliver a presentation effectively, resources for developing your presentation skills, and benefits of becoming an effective presenter.