Ben Rush
Applied learning
Interactive sessions that use Sci-prov, science communication, applied improv, humor, and AI practice to help groups communicate with more confidence and warmth.
The goal is not a lecture about communication. It is a room full of people practicing the behaviors that make collaboration feel safer, sharper, and more useful.
Applied learning
Ben designs and leads workshops that help scientists, trainees, and professional teams communicate clearly, collaborate effectively, and think more creatively under pressure.
Ben Rush is an Informatics Data Scientist in the Department of Radiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the founder of Amalgam Improv in Madison, Wisconsin. His background sits at the intersection of science, communication, and performance: he trained in biology, neuroscience, epidemiology, and nutritional sciences, then built a career in data science, biomedical research, teaching, and public-facing science communication.
Ben became seriously involved in improv in January 2020 when he took Improv for Scientists with Amy Zelenski. That class changed how he thinks about communication, leadership, and collaboration. Improv gave him practical tools for uncertainty, listening, trust, and creativity, and those skills became even more important during COVID. Since then, he has brought improv into research environments, classrooms, conference spaces, and professional development settings.
Today, Ben designs and leads workshops that help scientists, trainees, and professional teams communicate clearly, collaborate effectively, and think more creatively under pressure. He also leads Amalgam Improv, where he continues to develop performance-driven training experiences that transfer directly to research teams, healthcare settings, and business environments.
Featured program
Sci-prov is Ben's flagship workshop and public program: scientists share short, digestible presentations, Q&A becomes material for improvised scenes, and participants practice communicating complex ideas in real time.
Flagship offering
A 2-hour applied improv and science communication training for STEM graduate students, post-docs, staff, faculty, and research teams that need to share ideas clearly with collaborators, decision-makers, and the public.
Participants practice spontaneous speaking, active listening, adaptive Q&A, recovery from mistakes, and audience-aware message design in a lively, low-stakes room.
Sci-prov workshop
Shape technical ideas around audience, stakes, structure, and action so the message survives outside the lab, clinic, or conference room.
Sci-prov workshop
Practice active listening, curiosity, and in-the-moment adaptation so scientific conversations feel more responsive, generous, and human.
Sci-prov workshop
Build comfort being seen, speaking without a script, recovering from mistakes, and carrying attention with warmth and confidence.
Workshop menu
Scientists
Interactive exercises for listening, collaboration, uncertainty, and clearer communication in research environments, including custom versions of the Sci-prov training model.
Collaboration
A practical session for interdisciplinary teams that need stronger trust, clearer norms, and better collaborative momentum.
Humor
A workshop on using humor to improve communication, teamwork, creativity, and idea generation without losing rigor.
SciComm
A session for shaping scientific messages around audience, purpose, story structure, empathy, and action.
Pitches
A high-rep workshop for staying present, adapting to questions, and making ideas feel clear, human, and memorable.
AI
A practical introduction to using AI tools for scientific productivity, writing, teaching, brainstorming, and workflow support.
Clients and collaborators
Ben has designed or facilitated workshops, trainings, and communication-focused sessions with groups across academia, science, entrepreneurship, and professional settings.