I’m available for paid speaking opportunities at the intersection of science, marketing, policy, and education. I have spoken to various audiences about topics including:
- Science writing (I’ve written a book on how to become a science writer)
- Science communication, also called SciComm: read my articles here
- Topics involving science policy, journalism, marketing, and/or education
- Topics at the intersection of science and society
- Topics in neuroscience, especially cognitive and systems neuroscience
- Managing your finances and investing ethically as a freelance science writer
As a former scientist, I have also taught hands-on neuroscience courses at the K-12 and medical school levels, and lectured about neuroscience to students ranging from K-12 to postgraduate levels.
Since June 2023, I also tutor various English, math, science, social studies, health/medicine, and economics/finance subjects at K-12, college, and graduate levels. I also enjoy being a substitute teacher in my local community. Being an educator makes you surprisingly quick on your feet (even more than working in Congress, I can say)!
My former speaking engagements include:
- Georgetown University‘s Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience
- Lecturer, Neuroscience Summer Course, Summer 2009-2012
- Co-Director, Drugs, the Brain, and Behavior, Fall 2011
- The University of Rochester‘s Department of Pharmacology
- Guest lecturer, “Experimental Therapeutics,” Fall 2020
- McMaster University‘s Engineering Graduate Society
- Guest speaker, “Science Communication Workshop: Engaging Broad Audiences,” January 20, 2021 [event link]
- University of Cincinnati‘s Center for Public Engagement with Science
- Guest speaker, “Effective Science Advocacy,” March 1, 2021 [event link]
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities‘ Twin Cities Science Policy Network
- Guest speaker, “Effective Science Advocacy,” May 25, 2021 [event info]
- University of Rochester‘s School of Medicine and Dentistry
- Guest lecturer, “Science Communication for Diverse Audiences,” December 2, 2021
- ScienceTalk 2022 Conference, Association of Science Communicators
- Workshop with Nidhi Parekh, “Helping Scientists Maximize Impact with SciComm,” March 18, 2022 [blog post] [video]
- ScienceTalk 2023 Conference, Association of Science Communicators
- University of Minnesota Communicators Forum
- Virtual talk, “How to Research and Write Skillfully on a Topic You Know Nothing About,” February 22, 2024. [more info – paywalled]
- Hawaii Pacific University, “Communicating Marine Science” Course
- Virtual guest lecturer, “Life as a SciCommer,” February 29, 2024. [contact me for more info about this lecture]
- University of California-Irvine, “Science Policy and Advocacy for STEM Scientists,”
- Wake Forest University, “Intro to American Politics” Course
- Virtual Guest Lecturer, “Talking about climate in a politically polarized world,” October 25, 2024. [slides available upon request]
- University of Florida, Policy Advocacy in Science and Engineering Symposium
- Invited Speaker and Virtual Guest Lecturer on getting involved in science policy, April 22, 2025.
- National Association for Science Writers roundtable webinar: “Ethical Investing for Science Communicators”
- Panelist on investing ethically and avoiding conflicts of interest as a science journalist, August 13, 2026
I’ve also been a guest on many podcasts, which you can listen to here, and I love to chitchat on the Fancy Comma YouTube.
Please contact me to chat about speaking/teaching opportunities.
Sheeva Azma 