Inclusive communication: Making complex topics engaging

To engage is to care. To communicate is to share. How do we make wonky, technical, difficult, and just plain boring topics interesting - to help more people care and connect? (And how do we make sure we are not trying to unconsciously elevate ourselves by being hard to understand?) That has been a core question of my communications career as well as my doctorate research.

A key piece of that for me has been what I call “critical conservation communications” and also “liberation marketing.” It’s about creating human-centered communications, using art, design, and visual-driven storyelling. In my early career, I had to work to help consumers understand complex issues in agriculture, like USDA organic certification and GMOs. While at an innovative conservation and community development nonprofit in Seattle, I translated complex issues for a wider audience, working to respect the sophistication of the programs while making them relateable. My team and I used a variety of methods, including print, video, digital magazine, and live events. We helped drive support and enthusiasm for a wide range of ideas, from riparian restoration, carbon capture, cooperative housing, and cross laminated timber. Here’s a peak at some of our inclusive communications.