Scientists and researchers are making incredible new breakthroughs regularly in different fields from healthcare to agriculture, ecology to technology and much more. Communicating these research findings and developments is vital as it enables researchers to share the importance and impact of their work with the wider community. Being a good science communicator is easier today as researchers have the benefit of being able to tap into various channels – both online and offline to engage audiences. Scientific research can be shared not only through reports, peer-reviewed articles, conferences and media interactions, but also through social media platforms by tweeting, blogging and sharing Instagram or LinkedIn posts. Either way, effective science communication and actively engaging the audience in conversations about research helps to showcase your findings, build your credibility, and strengthen your reputation as a researcher.
Interestingly, while the quantum of research literature has been growing consistently over the past two-three decades the readability scores of scientific research papers have witnessed a gradual decline.1 Overburdened researchers often find themselves struggling with engaging and effective science communication, while the non-scientific audience usually finds reading and understanding research literature dry and dull. The UNESCO Science Report 2021 states that a good science communicator is responsible for providing “accurate, timely information that helps the public to understand the key issues of the day and recognize disinformation.”2 Once you know how to become a science communicator, researchers stand to gain several benefits.
Benefits of effective science communication
Reaching a broader audience: Publishing a research paper in an international journal does not guarantee a wider reach or increased global readership. Researchers must know how to actively promote their research articles both offline and online. In fact, the pandemic years saw social media platforms explode with an exchange of scientific information that could be accessed by people across the globe. Through engaging and effective science communication, researchers can ensure their findings are read and understood even by non-academic audiences on social media.
Increasing citations and collaborations: By tapping social media, academic conferences, and even the media, researchers can share their work and methods with those who do not have access to paywalled journals or peers in different research fields. Garnering a wider audience for your research paper will not only increase the chances of it being read and cited by people across the globe, it can also open the doors for potential research collaborations in the future.
Improving researcher reputation: Effective science communication increases the readability score of scientific research, which helps build public comprehension and trust. Moreover, the higher number of citations your paper is likely to get over time will further build your credibility as an expert in your field and strengthen your researcher reputation.
Opening up better funding opportunities: When researchers actively communicate the relevance and impact of their research findings, they not only build credibility for their work, they are also positioning themselves as trusted, responsible researchers. This is one of the key things funding bodies look for when deciding whether or not to approve grants. So effective science communication also plays a role in attracting and securing research funds in the future, which is essential to grow your academic career.
How to become a good science communicator?
Explaining science to people with no scientific backgrounds can be a daunting task; one doesn’t really know where to start. So, how can researchers effectively communicate their ideas to the general public in a way that is accurate, uncomplicated, and engaging?
- Know your audience: Good knowledge about the prospective audience allows researcher to understand the type and flow of communication required for a particular research paper. For example, you can’t use the same tone of voice you would use to communicate with scientists while communicating with students. Similarly, you cannot talk to the public using highly technical terms that you may use with your peers.
- Avoid unnecessary jargon: An assessment undertaken by the journal Public Understanding of Science1 revealed that the readability index was being affected in scientific papers published in the journal throughout the last three decades due to the use of jargon. Using complex language can potentially turn away readers or cause misinterpretation that can affect your research and cause.
- Offer analogies and examples: To appeal to a wider audience, researchers must explain a concept thoroughly, in a simple easy to understand way. You can use analogies to describe the research problem and the findings or solutions, which will help them retain concepts better. While doing this, feel free to use relevant examples, images, tables, diagrams, etc., to further engage your audience.
- Use old and new media effectively: No one platform can cater to all your audiences, so use a good blend of old (print, online) and new (social networks, podcasts, etc.) media. Be aware of where your audience is and use the right platform to reach them. Social media for instance is a great way to share your research in a simple way, while multilingual communication networks may help you reach a wider audience. You can also choose channels based on the preferred format; Instagram is great for visuals but Facebook and LinkedIn are better to build communities and engage with your audience.
- Avoid misconceptions by staying on point: Engaging with the public comes with a lot of responsibility so stick to the point and your area of expertise. This will allow you to not only explain your research clearly but also answer any questions correctly. Contradictory or controversial views tend to be amplified online or in the media, and this leads to misconceptions and a mistrust in science; which is something to avoid at all costs.
Not only does effective science communication help to create support for science, it also leads to more informed policy making within communities. Developing your skills as a science communicator has become increasingly important for researchers; we are sure the information shared above will help kick-start the process for you.
References:
- Baram-Tsabari, Ayelet; Wolfson, Orli; Segev, Elad – Jargon use in Public Understanding of Science papers over three decades. Sage Journals, August 20, 2020. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0963662520940501
- UNESCO Science Report: the Race Against Time for Smarter Development. S. Schneegans, T. Straza and J. Lewis (eds). UNESCO Publishing: Paris. Available at https://bit.ly/3XAoG4a
