From climate change to genetic engineering, the issues that scientists grapple with today are far more complex and controversial than anything a T-Rex could dream of. Evidence on dinosaur dreams remains sadly sketchy.
Beyond the awe and wonder of space exploration and the quirky discoveries of prehistoric creatures, there's a harder side to science communication. Issues like climate change, COVID-19, vaccines, assisted dying, and AI dominate headlines, creating heated debates and societal divisions. Fiona Fox, Chief Executive of the Science Media Centre, pointed out in her excellent and instructive Tuesday talk that now more than ever, scientists need to engage well with science communications. This isn't about simply sharing exciting discoveries; it's about navigating complex, often controversial topics and providing clear, evidence-based information to the public.
Over the past two decades, science communication has evolved significantly. Scientists are increasingly stepping out of their labs (but please permit me to note that labs are not the only location where science is practised) to engage with the public, and the media landscape has become more diverse and complex. However, challenges persist. Misinformation continues to spread, and the public's trust in science can be fragile. But we must be doing something good to be more trustworthy than politicians!
Gone are the days where (most) scientists viewed media and communication with the public with doubt on why-does-it-matter at best, to deep suspicion or derision at worst. Scientists are increasingly seeing public engagement as an essential part of doing good work and the value of this engagement is then captured in funding plans and impact statements.
Worries remain however, on the political, reputational, and often deeply personal costs of engagement, particularly on contentious topics and sensitive locations and politics. How then can one communicate excellent science while remaining calm, measured, and impartial in a system primed for innate politicisation? The advice from Fiona is clear: Believe in your science.
The good news; anyone can champion good science communication. Early career researchers - don't be intimidated by the idea of media training! Stepping outside your comfort zone and engaging with the public, even on controversial topics, is vital. Check in with institutional science communicators who want to listen and support you. Science communication can feel overwhelming, especially in a world saturated with misinformation and environments that seem designed to catch you in a quotable but deeply misleading moment.
Science communication has evolved. Scientists and the public are closer than ever and there is deep interest in seeing the work and understanding the stories of the scientists that save the day. So, let us accept that even if we, in our varied science-producing-spaces. might not see how the public could be interested in our work, there’s a friendly institutional science communicator who can help out.
