Communicating Science
Science communication isn’t just for scientists; it’s for everyone. The discoveries made in labs and field studies only have a real impact when the wider public can understand and connect with them. But too often, science gets lost in jargon or buried under details. The key is learning how to translate complex ideas into clear, relatable messages that resonate with different audiences. Here are some tips I found helpful when breaking down my research, as I was often told early on that I wasn't using enough jargon in my research:
The first thing is to know your intended audience. You cannot give the same speech you would to a group of scientists and then give the same speech to a public event. It's essential to understand who you're speaking to, so you can deliver the message effectively.
Do not use jargon. Scientists often use terms like “direct relationship”, “bias”, and “positive trend”.
Get to the point. You do not want to bore your audience with background information and details that they may not understand. This correlates to the first point of knowing your audience and knowing when to use extra information and when not to.
Use analogies and metaphors. Using these techniques allows you to connect your work with real-life situations and makes your work relatable and easy to digest.
Use social media. Social media can be a creative way to get people who wouldn’t usually indulge in science to understand the importance of science. Social media opens the door for people of all ages and backgrounds to learn more about science.
Lastly, relate. You have to be able to relate what you're speaking about to something that is current and will grab your audience's attention. For example, politics, economics, pop culture, etc.
At its heart, science is about curiosity and discovering something we all share, whether we wear a lab coat or not. By breaking down language barriers and making science relatable, we can spark interest, build trust, and hopefully inspire action. Science becomes most powerful when everyone can understand it.
How do you like to make science more engaging?
