Should Scientists Become Public Communicators?

As a former bench scientist, I learned a hard lesson early in my career: great research means nothing if it can't be understood, appreciated, and applied. Without strategic communication and relationship-building, even revolutionary science can remain unnoticed.

We, as scientists, are trained to be rigorous, precise, and methodical. But these same strengths too often become our barriers when communicating with non-technical audiences. Our diligently crafted research often remains locked in academic journals, unseen by policymakers, industry leaders, and the wider public - who could benefit most.

I have always loved Einstein's Quote: "Everything Should Be Made as Simple as Possible, But Not Simpler."

This isn't about dumbing down science, but about making it accessible, meaningful and above all, engaging. At one point in my career past, I used to work with technical colleagues who would come to me for advice on how to ‘Trustify’ their presentations – an affectionate term which meant I would set to work on trying to make their overtly text-laden slides more digestible.

This bridging of Science and Society is by no means an easy task, but I believe it can be done via three strategic approaches:

1. We need to make it a priority to learn how to translate technical insights for diverse non-technical audiences - it is a skill.

2. We should be transforming our complex data into compelling ‘stories’ that resonate both emotionally and intellectually.

3. We should practice and seek feedback - by actively participating in community education, media conversations and policy discussions.

As a scientist, do you have any experiences where you have tried to bridge technical expertise with public understanding?

Comment below, I’d be interested in your views.

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