Welcome to the
Northeastern COE Communication
Lab!
By serving graduate students in the College of Engineering Department through 1-on-1 sessions and workshops, our focus is graduate-level technical communication. Â
Department Specific
We provide 1-on-1 personalized sessions based on your discipline. Â
Communication
From diverse workshops to peer coaching sessions, we aim to help with all kinds of documents!
Your Goals
Find your voice in technical communication to reach your goals! Â
COURES
What does the Communication Lab do?
1-on-1 Peer SessionsÂ
Every Week
Our most personalized option offers you a one-hour session with a CommLab Fellow from your department who will assist you with any type of technical communications, from your class report to your thesis to a conference presentation! Click the button below to learn more.Â
(Currently only open to graduate students in College of Engineering)
Virtual Office HoursÂ
Twice a week, every week
Have a quick question or need fast help with scientific communication? Will you be a presenting a virtual presentation and need some help troubleshooting Zoom or other type of software? You can sign up to meet with a CommLab Fellow for a 15 minute session to talk about your needs. Click the button below to learn more.Â
Interactive WorkshopsÂ
Varies
Every semester, we offer a variety of workshops that are tailored for STEM communications. Get to practice writing and presenting skills in real-time with your peers and our CommLab Fellows! Click the button below to learn more. Â
WHY
Why is Scientific Communication Important?Â
Reach Your Goals
Communication of your research allows you to write that first-author paper, apply to conference as an oral presenter, among other milestones which are important in achieving higher goals. Â
Increase Your Job Opportunities
Being able to explain your research concisely and precisely is a soft skill that is necessary to stand out as a job or post-doc candidate.Â
Effective Problem-Solving
Sitting down and writing about your research when you are stuck may help you find a solution and propel your research forward.Â
Become a Better Learner
Understanding the big picture in your research project can enable your larger understanding of other research problems. Â
Business Travel & Communication
Traveling to a conference? Presenting a poster or an oral powerpoint? Â
Speak With More People
Networking is increasingly more important for any kinds of opportunities, from collaborations to career moves after graduate school. Â
CHOOSE US
Why Learn With Us?
80% of clients reported they learned communication skills that they will use in the future
98% found their 1-on-1 session helpful
90% reported that they plan to use the CommLab again for help with future writing documents or presentations.
100% of clients found to adress their needs and concerns through STEM tailored communication
Discipline-specific feedback on any kind of scientific communication
TESTIMONIALS
What Our Students Say
Really insightful and helped me plan my next steps, specially 1:1 helped me gain more information about my plan
It was really helpful! I think it helped me to improve my work.Â
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions?
What kind of communication can you help me with?
All scientific communication! Written documents, oral presentations, poster design and pitches are among the broad types of communication we can help with. Think thesis, conference poster, class report, fellowship applications… any kind of communcaiton that explains your research work is something that we want to work on!Â
Does my document need to be polished before I can get help?
Not at all! In fact, it is preferable to come brainstorm ideas with us in a 1-on-1 session or office hours, even before you write a draft. Receiving feedback early on in the process of creating your communication piece can be beneficial to your learning.Â
My lab group already has a lot of members who can give me feedback. Why should I consider using the CommLab?
Receiving feedback from colleagues in your field is very awesome. Your lab or classmates may already understand all the niche aspects about your particular field, allowing you to receive great feedback relevant to your field. Receiving technical feedback from the CommLab, on the other hand, can help make your documents more accessible to others outside of your field but still within your discpline. In effect, you can learn to communicate your findings to a wider audience, giving yourself to grow your reputation in STEM.Â
Who can sign up for one-on-one sessions?
If you are a graduate student who is affiliated with the departments of Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, and/or Civil & Environmental Engineering, you can sign up for a session! We are currently funded through these departments, which allow us to give you discipline-specific feedback. We are aiming to grow our services to more departments; if you’d like to help us in this endeavor, please fill out this form:
I am a graduate student, but I am outside of College of Engineering. Can I still get your help on scientific communication?
Yes, definitely! Check out out our website resources, which include slides and some recordings of past workshops. In addition, we offer weekly office hours that require no sign-ups and workshops that cover a range of topics!
I'm working on a long document, such as a thesis. Can I set up recurrent appointments?
Of course! First, set up a one-one session with one of the CommLab Fellows. Once the fellow contacts you to confirm the appointment, you can indicate that you think you will need multiple appointments. Otherwise, you can wait until your session to discuss this with the Fellow.
What sets the CommLab apart?
As the Communication Lab, we aim to deliver discipline-based feedback on all types of communication needs at any stage. If you sign-up for an appointment, come to our office hours, or attend our workshops, you will be working with a PhD student in the engineering field. We help with written documents, and can help with powerpoint slides, posters, presentations, and more!
Have a general question or some feedback?
Feel free to contact us with the form below!Â
Note: please use your Northeastern Email.