The case for Science Communication
I remember advocating for more science communication classes back when I was in university. With everything that has been happening in the world, good and bad, we can safely say science communication plays an instrumental role in bringing our beloved science to the general public. It gives us scientists the ability to translate complex systems and processes into bitesized and digestible pieces of information. But… how?
Traditional Science Communication
Historically, science communication was confined to academic journals, symposiums, and occasional news snippets. It’s what I call the science bubble. These channels disseminated methods and results within the scientific community but often bypass the layman.
Traditional avenues are the groundwork of science, emphasizing the accuracy and thoroughness we need to “do science'“. They served as the bedrock, ensuring that foundational scientific principles are communicated with rigor and precision. This is what we in the community like to call dissemination, NOT communication. We need to get out of our echo chamber if we want our research to reach the masses. Therein lays the challenge of making science understandable without diluting its essence.
Sci com for the now
With the digital revolution, the landscape of science communication has transformed quite a bit. Online SciCom facilitates direct interaction between scientists and enthusiasts, nurturing an informed community.
Platforms like Twitter (or should we say X?), Medium, and personal blogs offer scientists a place to reach a global audience in real-time. The power of infographics has made complex topics more accessible than ever before. Podcasts invite the listeners to experience our own fascination for science, during the commute home or one workout at a time. And then we have the colossus of today’s social media: video. Being connected to everyone and everything has made the public hungry for content, and that’s not stopping soon. That’s why we believe in investing into your skills as an online science communicator.
The Erosion of Trust in Science
Having everything connected seems like a good thing, but it also has its drawbacks. I’ve been reading countless comments on videos and posts and the more I visit these places, the more I see the need for a strong representation of the science community online. Misinformation can spread like wildfires if left unchecked.
From conspiracy theories to baseless claims, the digital age has seen a surge in misleading content, often behind the mask of 'science'. This, unfortunately, has in some instances eroded public trust in genuine scientific research. I don’t have to remind you about the whole pandemic ‘fiasco’, no matter where you live.
Scientists and communicators face the dual challenge of not only disseminating accurate information but also debunking myths and falsehoods. The simple fact is, if we aren’t present on these platforms, it will will get worse. Sci com can become the ‘beacon of truth’, guiding the public through the murky waters of misinformation and restoring faith in the scientific method.
Narratives that Resonate
This is where our project Creators For Climate comes in, because we believe wholeheartedly in this ‘informal’ type of science communication. By combining science and content creation, it allows us to amplify the outreach on climate change, sustainability, and conservation. For that we use narratives, storytelling, and collaboration. In short: story is king, context is queen and generating impact is the ace in the hole!
"When I started sharing snippets of my research on coral reefs through Instagram stories, the engagement was overwhelming. It wasn't just about the likes; it was the genuine curiosity and the barrage of questions that followed. It made me realize the power of informal SciCom."
Dr. Jane Smith, marine biologist
As we move forward, we are trying to provide what we didn’t have when we were studying science: a place to learn about science communication and get inspired by other creators. Creativity is a muscle, and everyone can strengthen it if you practice enough. We’ll show you how you can transform your own research, from a single paper, into multiple pieces of content. But that… will be for another blog :)
Join the Movement
Eager to learn how you can apply science communication for your own research? Sign up for the waitlist of the Science Communication 101 and be an integral part of our community of change!
Community driven knowledge
We’re testing the workbook with a handful of driven scientists at the moment. Please join the waitlist if you want to be notified when we launch.
