Workshops

Applied Improv, Science Communication, and Team Workshops

By Ben Rush

I am Ben Rush, an Informatics Data Scientist in the Department of Radiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the founder of Amalgam Improv in Madison, Wisconsin. My background sits at the intersection of science, communication, and performance: I trained in biology, neuroscience, epidemiology, and nutritional sciences, then built a career in data science, biomedical research, teaching, and public-facing science communication.

I first got seriously involved in improv in January 2020 when I took Improv for Scientists with Amy Zelenski. That class changed how I think about communication, leadership, and collaboration. Improv gave me practical tools for uncertainty, listening, trust, and creativity, and those skills became even more important during COVID. Since then, I have brought improv into research environments, classrooms, conference spaces, and professional development settings.

Today, I design and lead workshops that help scientists, trainees, and professional teams communicate clearly, collaborate effectively, and think more creatively under pressure. I also lead Amalgam Improv, where I continue to develop performance-driven training experiences that transfer directly to research teams, healthcare settings, and business environments.

Workshops I Lead

• Applied Improv for Scientists Workshops
• Team Science Workshop
• Something's Funny: Humor for Better Communication, Teamwork, and Ideas in Science
• An Introduction to Strategic Science Communication
• Applied Improv for Business Pitches
• AI for Scientists