August 17, 2016, by Lisa Chin
Scientific Communication
This post is written by Dr Maysoun Mustafa, CFF-UNMC Doctoral Training Programme Manager.
Communication is a powerful tool in our daily lives, and no less so for researchers. Knowledge sharing is increasing in importance. Our issues and challenges are no longer restricted locally, thus there is an increased need for scientists to communicate within and beyond their individual disciplines.
Scientific communication is the act of conveying science related topics to non-experts. It involves the use of specific skills, media tools and other activities to create a dialogue for sharing scientific knowledge with the public. Scientists are blessed with a credibility factor, as the general public have a tendency to accept scientific facts as valid or truth. Thus, it is important to ensure that the right message is communicated in an understandable language. Moreover, the message ought to be delivered in an engaging manner to retain public attention. It is the scientists’ responsibility – and in their best interest – to ensure scientific discoveries are not miscommunicated. Therefore, regardless of the individual field of research, there is a pressing need for scientists to develop skills in effective communication.
Dunne, T (2015) in 8 Myths About Public Understanding of Science. American Scientist.
Scientific communication has numerous advantages for all parties involved. In 1914 Sir Francis Darwin said, “In science the credit goes to the man who convinces the world, not to the man to whom the idea first occurs”. While research may not be driven by who warrants the credit, it is important to engage the public in our ongoing scientific feats. This serves to:
- Promote wider understanding of science and its relevance to society;
- Build support and lobby for scientific endeavours;
- Encourage informed decision-making at all levels, from government to individuals;
- Foster collaboration and innovation across disciplines;
- More impactful training of the next generation of scientists;
- Secure funding for continuing scientific progress;
- Encourages scientists to look at the bigger picture;
- Personal development: scientists can become better communicators.
Social media has made it significantly easier to communicate with the masses – often at the expense of accuracy or truthfulness. Therefore it is important for scientists to use the right tools to engage with the desired crowd. Common modes include direct communication with reporters for scientific or non-specialised news outlets, blogging platforms, Twitter, or direct communication with audiences (such as the annual Three Minute Thesis competition). While these different tools may vary vastly in how the message is delivered, the principle remains the same: know your audience, your goal and your message thoroughly.
While scientific training may often include communication skills, a lot of emphasis is placed on communication within a specialised circle such as through peer-reviewed papers. This is indeed beneficial, however, helping scientists develop their public communication skills will most certainly increase the impact of science in the various dimensions of our daily lives.
Take away message: Have you been actively involved in developing your scientific communication skills? The Graduate School offers a strong support platform, and can be contacted for more information.
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