Confessions of a scientist: Science education needs communication training | Aimee Bernard | TEDxCU

We train scientists to advance knowledge and make exciting discoveries but not how to talk about their work to the public. In this TEDx talk, I share personal stories from my ‘science swear jar’ to reveal hard won lessons and explore what happens when communication is missing from graduate and medical education. This is a conversation about the limits we’ve built around science and what emerges when those limits are challenged. Aimee Bernard is a PhD immunologist with expertise in medical education and science communication. Through her work training graduate students and medical trainees, she has seen firsthand how often scientists are expected to communicate clearly without ever being taught how. She leads and contributes to science communication initiatives that help researchers translate complex ideas into clear language for public, clinical, and policy audiences. Drawing on years of teaching, mentoring, and real world experience, her work focuses on making science more human, accessible, and impactful. In this TEDx talk, she brings an insider perspective on why communication training is an essential part of scientific education. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx