Share Your Science Communication Adventures in π x Σy Words | How Can We Communicate Science?

We want to share your adventures in science communication

When we first called out for your 500 word perspectives on issues surrounding genetic-modification, we expected perhaps a couple of you would copy & paste us a few tweets and the rest would send us hate-mail. Instead, we are backlogged with stories we need to publish and we keep getting more. Not only that, but no one has yet been restrained by the 500 word limit. So many of you loved sharing your stories, but our audience loved to read them just as much, if not more so.

With the success of the project, we would now like to begin another.

One of the recurring themes from the previous 500 word stories on GMOs is science communication. Within the accounts, we see immense frustration from people trying to communicate science to the public as well as opponents. Several of the stories shared describe transformative experiences of changing perspectives after investigating the issues more thoroughly. From these stories we can see that people can change, but we also see how difficult it can be to persuade people to shift their views and to listen to different ideas. The obstacles to science communication may seem overwhelming; however, if we do want to help the public understand the nuances of public science issues, we should trade our own notes on communication strategies. There is no one way to communicate science, so we want to display your diverse experiences.

For that reason, Skepti-Forum wants to share your science communication narratives as well as all of the nifty tricks you’ve learned through your challenges.

We want to keep the topic as broad as possible to allow you all to share whatever you feel is most important; however, here are a few questions which may spark your thoughts:

• How have your strategies changed over the years?
• What are the main obstacles you face on the issues you find most important?
• How do you handle people who are shut off from listening?
• What made you passionate about science? Did you have an episode that changed you?
• In your experience, which strategies work best and which haven’t worked so well or have been counter-productive
• Which was one of your most challenging experiences and what did you do to overcome it?
• What did you learn from one of your biggest mistakes?
• Who are some of your biggest influences and which literature made a significant impact on your style?
• What are you currently trying to work on?
• Do you have any pet peeves about how others communicate science?
• Have you ever changed someone who you never expected to change? How did you do it?
• Are you optimistic or pessimistic about communicating science in the public? Why?
• If you could convince all science communicators one thing, what would it be?
• Which issues are most important to you e.g., GMOs, vaccines, climate change, and how does that issue need a unique approach?
• What can we do about those individuals and organisations which misinform the public?

If you are interested in sharing your story, you can send email it to admin@nodesci.net

What should you send?

• Completed story of at least 500 words
• Your name (You can use an alias if you wish)
• Story title
• A short bio
• References and sources for factual claims (References for your claims will help your story be more persuasive and will help our audience learn more)
• (Optional but encouraged) Your website or social media info
• (Optional) Your occupation

If you have any more questions you can send an email.

Photo credit: James Vaughan | CC