On May 6, 2026, the Gulf of America Coastal Acidification Network (GCAN) hosted its first science communication workshop — “Translating Ocean and Coastal Acidification Science for Different Audiences” — during the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program Community Meeting during the NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction in College Park, Maryland. The in-person lunch workshop was coordinated by Dr. Natalia López-Figueroa, GCAN Coordinator and NAS Fellow, and facilitated by GCAN Steering Committee Members Drs. Xinping Hu and Emily Hall, and Dr. Liz Perotti, NOAA Ocean Acidification Program Communication and Education Lead. It brought together some 25 attendees to build practical skills for communicating ocean and coastal acidification (OA/COA) science clearly, accurately and in a way that is accessible across audiences.

During the workshop, participants had the opportunity to practice identifying target audiences, learn how to reduce the use jargon, frame key messages and translate technical research into plain language without losing scientific accuracy.

A central component of the workshop invited participants to tailor OA/COA messages for different real-world audiences, including coastal managers, shellfish farmers, Tribal communities and K–5 teachers. These scenarios encouraged participants to consider what each audience values most, from management relevance and shellfish production to cultural stewardship and classroom engagement. Participants also joined an “elevator speech” speed round where they practiced delivering concise, audience-specific messages and refined their communication through peer feedback. By the end of the workshop, participants left with a clearer understanding of how to adapt their science for different communities, decision-makers and educational settings.