Science Communication Done Right! – Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Society

Have you ever wondered how to bring your research out of the academic bubble and make it resonate with a broader audience? In this article, I’ll share some tips and tricks that I discovered during a recent science communication course—practical ways to connect complex ideas with the people who need them most.

With an academic with a background in Environmental Sciences and currently pursuing my Master’s in Global Change Ecology – where I study the complex interactions between climate, ecosystems, and policy – I used to think that simply providing more information would help everyone agree on pressing issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainability. Yet, despite overwhelming research and facts, many people still aren’t aware of—or can’t access—this knowledge. So, how do we bridge the gap between research and real-world impact?

First, let us look at the ones who are not aware. It wasn’t until recently, when I attended a science communication course, that I realized how often we academics are stuck in our bubble, thinking things like “Ah, everyone knows what climate change is!” But is that true? According to a climate opinion survey conducted by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication in 31 countries, four out of ten people had never heard of climate change before. In many parts of the Global South, people are unaware of climate change and do not understand it is human-caused. As a result, there isn’t enough public demand to pressure political parties to take action.

So, how do you do that? As with most things, there isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” solution, but here are a few pointers that can help if you aim to build a bridge between science and society:

1. Target the right audience – Who do you want to communicate with? Do you have a specific age group or working group in mind? The more specific you can be about your audience, the more strategic—and relatable—your content can become. Remember: when you try to target everyone, you end up reaching no one.
2. Don’t just preach—listen! – We often assume that simply presenting all the information we have will solve the problem. But would you believe a friend who says, “Starbucks makes the best coffee in the world”? Probably not. However, if that friend said, “I’ve heard Starbucks might have the best coffee—do you want to try it with me and see if that’s true?” then you’d be more open to giving it a shot. This kind of relationship-building is important when communicating about topics like climate change. Stay humble, and don’t try to change someone’s entire worldview in one go. Would you like it if someone imposed their beliefs on you without understanding your perspective?
3. Make it personal – We all relate to things better when there is a personal experience involved. This approach is also helpful when you’re creating content that you want to have a meaningful impact on the people it’s intended for.
4. Be realistic, focused, and engaging – I’ve often found myself starting with one topic in mind, then realizing halfway through that it’s morphing into something completely different by the end. Don’t do this! Have a clear structure from the start. Stay realistic, remain focused, and sprinkle in anecdotes that your audience can relate to.
5. Everyone loves visuals – “A picture is worth a thousand words,” and we all know the power of visuals, whether it’s a graph or a scientific cartoon.

For me, it wasn’t easy as an academic to bridge this gap, and it certainly takes time. But nobody is perfect and you have got to start somewhere. With practice you will get better! Picture a specific person you’d like to talk to about your topic, and keep them in mind while writing. Don’t give up—play around with these tips and tricks to see what works best for you!

This Blog entry was Edited by: Dr. Laura Sommer

Source to header image: https://sites.rutgers.edu/scipolru/resources/science-communication/

Shruti Jagani

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Curious about nature since childhood, I followed my passion for environmental conservation from a BSc in Environmental Sciences in India to a master’s in Global Change Ecology in Germany. I believe that even small steps - whether scientific or creative - can lead to big change! My interests revolve around sustainability, nature conservation, and understanding the complex human-nature interaction and our contribution to making the world a better place.. In my free time, you’ll find me painting, caring for my ever-growing collection of potted plants, or reading some fiction.

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