Science Communication is an Important Skill for Scientists
- Why science communication is an important skill?
Communicating science is not trivial. It is a skill that requires a level of creativity, interest, and critical thinking. Nevertheless, it is an important skill for scientists. Science communication makes the impact of scientific findings real and present. Scientific explorations are easily perceived as abstract and distant by the general public. However, through effective science communication, the public feels closer to the “scientific world”, thereby removing certain misconceptions that the general public may have about scientists and the research that they do. Activities like “Pint of Science” are a typical example of how scientists bring science closer to the public.
Science communication also helps to promote informed decision-making while advancing scientific progress. What is the purpose of scientific research if not for societal growth and progress? Science communication helps in achieving this goal by placing scientists at the forefront of the fight against misinformation. Misinformation has led to divided public opinions on important scientific discoveries/findings. This will continue to hinder the growth of science if scientists are not willing (or able) to share their science in an accurate, understandable, and reliable manner. Scientists must be able to communicate their science to the public, policymakers, and other stakeholders to guide and inform key decision-making processes.
Even the “scientific world” and the scientists benefit greatly from effective science communication. By effectively communicating science, specialists and non-specialists can use the information alike. The “scientific world” is diverse with individuals doing complementary yet different scientific research. The information from one specialist, conveyed accurately and reliably, allows others to extract useful information to guide their scientific research projects. With the underlying goal of scientific research being to improve societal growth and progress, complementary research efforts made possible through effective science communication become important. And for scientists, communicating science improves their visibility within and beyond the “scientific world”. This may allow them to attract growth opportunities useful for their personal and professional growth.
To learn more about the power of Science Communication, check here.
- How do we communicate scientifically?
Whether presenting at a scientific conference, engaging with the public, or presenting research findings on social media, tailoring your approach to suit the audience’s background and level of expertise can significantly impact the effectiveness of your message. Therefore, your first step is to think about your target audience and what message you want to convey. It’s essential to adjust both the content and language accordingly, ensuring that your message resonates with your intended audience while maintaining scientific integrity. One critical aspect to bear in mind when communicating scientific findings is the avoidance of sensationalism or exaggeration. Present information accurately and responsibly, so scientists can build trust with both the public and their peers, fostering a culture of credibility and reliability in scientific communication.
A special role is held by graphics and illustrations, powerful tools for visualizing complex concepts and showing the bigger picture. Graphics should make complex information understandable. For instance, as scientists, we often use posters to communicate our projects and present them at conferences. When selecting the best way to present data, clarity and accuracy should be of crucial importance. Through effective graphic design, scientists can make their findings more accessible and engaging to a broader audience.
In addition to conveying data, scientific illustrations can also serve as a tool for storytelling. By guiding audiences through a narrative, from the initial research question to the conclusion, scientists can contextualize their findings and provide insights into the broader significance of their work. Storytelling adds depth and coherence to scientific communication, helping to engage audiences on both intellectual and emotional levels. Think about graphical abstracts from papers; they offer a first glimpse into the topic and help readers understand what the paper will discuss in detail.
In conclusion, the future of scientific communication holds exciting possibilities for integrating innovative technologies to enhance collaboration, accessibility, and engagement. Artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and other emerging tools offer new avenues for conveying scientific information in dynamic and interactive ways.
- What does good communication look like?
Effective communication requires certain elements to be truly effective. It involves exchanging information with clarity, understanding, and empathy. It’s not just about sharing information; it’s also about comprehending the emotions and intentions behind that information.
Effective communication is a necessary element in developing strong connections with others and fostering trust and respect. Although it can be challenging to quantify the effectiveness of communication, its influence is undeniably significant. Inadequate communication can create a void, allowing misinformation to flourish. Hastily resorting to damage control to rectify problems that could have been prevented through good communication practices may not yield optimal results and could potentially lead to further uncertainties.
To effectively convey a message, you must also listen attentively to fully understand what is being said and ensure the other person feels acknowledged and comprehended. Understanding the information as an expert or communicator is important for building trust with your audience. Trust is a key component of effective communication. When you understand the information, you demonstrate to your audience that they can trust you and that the information you share is reliable. Your audience will always expect that what you say is the truth as you understand it.
In order for communication to be empathic, it needs to involve accepting and acknowledging different perspectives and emotions in other people. It involves actively listening to understand the emotions of those you are communicating with. This helps others feel recognized and understood, leading to more meaningful engagement. No matter the communication style, effective communication requires establishing a connection with others. This means that the most impactful skill you can utilize is being in sync with your audience. It involves understanding and addressing their needs and then responding to real-time feedback. It means having the conversation that your audience wants to engage in.
Effective communication involves more than simply delivering a message. It requires experts to listen and respond to their audience, and to communicate with respect in all situations. Developing these skills can make others more receptive.
References
- Mihaela, S. J. and Cornel, N. J. (2014). The Power of Science Communication. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences 149; 461 – 466. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042814050010/pdf?md5=f9ba00a64fce2bb05709ce67d0834291&pid=1-s2.0-S1877042814050010-main.pdf
- Marai G.E., Pinaud B., Bühler K., Lex A., Morris J.H. (2019) Ten simple rules to create biological network figures for communication. PLoS Comput Biol 15(9): e1007244. https://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007244
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About the Authors
Abdulkabir Omeiza Abdulmalik is a graduate student at CEPLAS Graduate School, Germany, and a 2024 Plantae Editor. His research focuses on using an experimental evolution approach to assemble plant growth-promoting soil microbiomes. He is passionate about science communication and sustainable crop production. In his free time, he loves playing soccer and enjoying nature views. You can find him on X: @Omeiza_PlantDoc.
Dennis Baffour-Awuah is a 2024 Plantae Editor, and holds an MPhil in Nuclear Agriculture from the University of Ghana, where he specialized in Mutation Breeding and Plant Biotechnology. He is a passionate science communicator who enjoys promoting scientific innovations. You can find him on X: @dennisgameplay.
Ann-Kathrin Rößling is a PhD student at the University of Freiburg in Germany, and a 2024 Plantae Fellow. She is researching intracellular mechanisms using confocal microscopy in Arabidopsis roots to gain a better understanding of vacuolar morphology. In addition to her scientific pursuits, she enjoys reading, both fiction and non-fiction, and is passionate about illustrations and artwork. You can find her on X: @AK_Roessling.
