Changing the Culture of Science Communication Training for Junior Scientists

Abstract

Being successful in an academic environment places many demands on junior scientists. Science communication currently may not be adequately valued and rewarded, and yet communication to multiple audiences is critical for ensuring that it remains a priority in today’s society. Due to the potential for science communication to produce better scientists, facilitate scientific progress, and influence decision-making at multiple levels, training junior scientists in both effective and ethical science communication practices is imperative, and can benefit scientists regardless of their chosen career path. However, many challenges exist in addressing specific aspects of this training. Principally, science communication training and resources should be made readily available to junior scientists at institutions, and there is a need to scale up existing science communication training programs and standardize core aspects of these programs across universities, while also allowing for experimentation with training. We propose a comprehensive core training program be adopted by universities, utilizing a centralized online resource with science communication information from multiple stakeholders. In addition, the culture of science must shift toward greater acceptance of science communication as an essential part of training. For this purpose, the science communication field itself needs to be developed, researched and better understood at multiple levels. Ultimately, this may result in a larger cultural change toward acceptance of professional development activities as valuable for training scientists.

Going Online in Pandemic Time: A DivulgaMicro Workshop Experience †

“…There is a growing understanding that science communication skills are essential for several aspects of science and society. Science communication training and resources can increase appreciation and understanding of science, create and strengthen networks, debunk misinformation, influence decision-making and policy, and more ( 1 ). Altogether, these benefits seek to effectively promote changes in society.…”

“…Altogether, these benefits seek to effectively promote changes in society. Personal benefits, including increased confidence to communicate with experts and nonexperts and a heightened sense of belonging at scientific meetings, can also be achieved, especially for early-career scientists ( 1 ). In the last decades, science communication has established itself as a research field to be addressed in universities across the world, as a discipline for undergraduate and graduate students, and as a master’s degree program ( 2 ).…”

“…For that reason, many professors do not have the expertise required to organize and run online courses and have been struggling to adapt their in-person courses to remote teaching ( 9 , 11 ). Online educational and professional development courses are well recognized as effective in delivering knowledge to students and other intended audiences ( 1 , 12 , 13 ). However, there are still many challenges in making online courses engaging and effective in delivering information.…”

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“…Collectively, these issues have transcended the expectations and roles surrounding scientists' responsibilities not only as researchers in the field but also as important civic actors in pursuit of societal and ecological progress. Given the increasing need for stakeholder outreach, public engagement, knowledge coproduction, and diversity inclusion, it is perhaps surprising that there has been relatively little formalized and widely accessible training to support scientists' preparation for such activities and systemic changes (Bankston and McDowell 2018;Brownell et al 2013;Nisbet and Scheufele 2009), though programs offered by groups such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and Alan Alda Center do aim to fill this critical gap. The manner in which early career scientists are prepared and trained to meet these changing roles and responsibilities requires new opportunities that build and hone relevant skills to communicate with nontechnical and diverse audiences.…”

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“…Thus, it is important for postdocs to be prepared for a broad range of careers. Postdocs can meet this challenge by using their time as advanced trainees to expand their skill sets beyond those required for their immediate research, such as developing their science communication, networking, and teaching skills, which can be useful in both academia and industry [ 6 – 10 ]. The National Postdoctoral Association also recognizes “Communication Skills” and “Professionalism” as two of their six core competencies that are “critical for development during postdoctoral appointments” [ 11 ].…”