About
As advocates for transparent and accessible research, Eriksholm Research Centre is continuously developing the way we communicate our expertise. Recently, we presented our scientists with a daunting challenge: Explain a complex research term on camera to an unknown audience in just 60 seconds.
Towards an Eriksholm dictionary
The videos are published on the Eriksholm YouTube channel and serve several purposes. The first aim is to make our research accessible for all who have an interest in the field of hearing science. The videos can be used as a living dictionary and introduce the viewer to the scientific terminology, concepts and topics that the Eriksholm researchers are working on. For example, one video explains the meaning of artificial intelligence in a hearing aid context, while other videos clarify some of the numerous abbreviations of our field, such as EEG, ABR and DNN. Over time, the dictionary will expand and develop into a comprehensive resource of easy-access knowledge.
The second purpose of the videos is to stay on top of the current trends and developments within research dissemination. Numerous studies show that the video format has a positive impact on the retention of knowledge and can be highly effective when explaining abstract and complex matters. A science dissemination video can include important nuances or technically intricate steps of an experiment that can be challenging and time consuming to articulate through traditional written means.
Embodying science
Beyond disseminating knowledge, Eriksholm also wants to empower our researchers and help them excel as communicators. While performing on camera can be a tricky art to master, the results can be very rewarding. In a hypervisual and digital world, it is a useful skill that can be translated into more exposure and recognition. Facing a camera also underscores the importance of voice and body language in conveying messages with confidence and credibility. The camera may be unforgiving, but training helps.
One of the participants in the 60 seconds challenge was scientist Florine Bachmann. Florine says the filming process has helped her prepare how to talk about EEG and ABRs with test subjects. But it was not a walk in the park:
“It was certainly challenging to use common words and not technical jargon while still being correct and specific. Then it was hard to hear yourself talking so much during the recording, you become painfully aware of your English accent etc.”
For some, the preparation for the shoot included a detailed script and rehearsal, for others not. As Principal Scientist Sergi Rotger Griful puts it:
“I prepared a few cues about what I wanted to talk about, and improvised. The challenging part was really to keep the presentation within the short time limit. Especially when you don’t know who the audience is.”
Future plans
Looking ahead, Eriksholm has ambitious plans to create more video content. In response to viewer feedback and the dynamic nature of hearing science, we aim to diversify the range of topics covered in upcoming videos. We plan to explore emerging areas of interest, cutting-edge technologies, breakthroughs, and more. If you have ideas or questions that you would like to see covered in our future videos, send us an email at mail@eriksholm.com
