Resources for effective science communication

In today’s world, the traditional boundaries that separated the “scientist” from “society” are rapidly disappearing. Gone are the days when one could stay within the walls of a laboratory or clinic for hours focusing on research alone and not have to interact with society much at all.  

Here are some reasons why you need to integrate science communication skills training in your laboratory or research clinic: 

1. Securing funding: Most research in modern times is supported by public funds, foundations, corporate sponsorship and private philanthropy. Scientists, after completing around a decade or more of training, are faced with a need to secure funding continuously to support their research and that of their students and technical staff.  

2. Putting your best face forward: Presentations at conferences, online webinars, research showcases and even media coverage can push most scientists outside of their comfort zone. 

3. Better communication makes better managers: Even today, all the intense training that leads to a Ph.D. involves minimal readiness and grooming for skills that will be required of them when they head their own research laboratory or team. Such skills include the management of people, finances and of course, communication. A hundred years ago, this may have been okay, as a few top scientists did research, and wrote about their work, which was read by only other top scientists in their field. 

4. Science policy affects research: Funding recommendations are traditionally made by experts in the field based on merit of the science and feasibility. However, lay summaries are expected in more and more grants and publications which help drive policy and funding decisions. Owing to the costs of conducting state-of-the-art scientific research, securing large grants has become a pre-requisite for most research programs to function. 

5. Out of the comfort zone into the public: Over time, publicly-funded research has become more transparent with published papers and research data open for all to access. Also, science has become more interdisciplinary making it necessary for scientists to communicate their work much better and to larger audiences. 

As we move ahead, perhaps interdisciplinary teams that work together can complement one another. Collaboration in the future will be not only about supplementing each other’s funds and expertise, but also about bringing into the team people with various skills and experience like science communicators, outreach specialists, textual and visual editors, and research integrity specialists. 

Science Communication Resources

Want read read more perspectives from experts on this topic? Here are some resources from Editage Insights that can help you navigate the science communication landscape: 

1. Fabricio Pamplona shares a comprehensive guide with the past and present scenario of science communication along with some infographics to take you along the journey! Science Communication: Everything you need to know about it to thrive (editage.com) 

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2. Savitha Sekhar brings you some interesting anecdotes from science communication along with tips you can use in your own endeavors! Unlocking science communication for a better-informed society | Editage Insights 

3. Here is an interesting piece by Jayashree Rajagopalan about using lay summaries in your research writing. A quote form Stephen Hawking introduces her article and reminds us that the most memorable and inspirational scientists were the ones who could reach out to the world! In plain language, what are lay summaries? | Editage Insights 

4. Here are a few interviews with scientists who have used science communication and outreach effectively in the past few years: 

• Interview with Dr. Karishma Kaushik: Researchers need to work on the 'communication' part of science communication | Editage Insights 

• Interview with Meagan Phelan, AAAS: Engaging Diverse Audiences, Building Trust | Editage Insights 

• Dr. Barbara Gastel provides 10 tips for researchers who wish to effectively communicate their science: Interview with Barbara Gastel, science communication expert | Editage Insights 

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