URBANA, Illinois, US, Dec 13 (IPS) – New research shows that AI-generated scientific writing summaries make information more accessible and easier to understand, and thus create more social interaction with information. This is significant because many scientists are not trained in science communication techniques and therefore their words affect many people’s ability to understand and trust scientific papers and findings.
Science communication has always been an important part of the scientific process because findings, solutions and discoveries that can help solve our world’s biggest challenges cannot be accepted or understood by the public without clear communication. Good communication with science can also shape and inform public policy.
Therefore, scientists have a responsibility to ensure that they communicate their knowledge and findings in a way that the public and policy makers can understand, but often that does not happen.
Because of the importance of science communication, it is necessary for scientists to be trained in science communication. That’s why I started studying communication science at my university.
I have taught it for over 4 years and cover topics such as the art of writing opinion pieces and creating science stories, talking about science to different audiences with careful use of metaphors and minimal use of jargon.
Additionally, the class covers topics such as communicating science using social media and communicating with politicians and creating visual science stories. Students who took the class went on to use the skills they learned in the class in their careers and some went on to become science communicators.
People who need to learn these skills include recent PhD graduates, postdoctoral fellows, assistant professors, tenured and full professors.
There are several resources including textbooks, scientific workshops, and many trusted organizations and institutions that scientists can turn to. Science communication novices can turn to social media platforms including Bluesky social and Instagram to meet other science communication enthusiasts.
Significantly, there are institutions and organizations that scientists can turn to. The American Association for the Advancement of Science, for example, has developed a communication toolkit to help science novices communicate.
The OpED Project has programs to help people learn to write OpEds and several times a year, they offer science workshops. In addition, many universities also have web pages that list science communication services.
For example, Duke University has a web page that lists available resources including science workshops, events and classes.
Communicating science effectively through OpEds, blogs, and social media outlets is not only important for reaching the public and policymakers, but can help scientists themselves.
First, through publishing and public communication, scientists can build their reputation. Journalists and policymakers will often reach out to any expert they can easily find, and working on social media and op-ed pages will make it easier to find one.
Being a consistent public voice – backed up by good work – can help establish someone as an expert in their field. In addition, scientists who regularly and consistently participate in scientific communication can track its impact and include that in residency promotion packages.
This happened to me. Keeping up with the writing of over 150 OpEds, since 2015, for example has helped develop my career.
Second, communicating science publicly helps one build a professional network, which can lead to peer-to-peer collaboration and collaborative writing of grant proposals.
It can lead to people winning prizes or invitations to speak on panels, workshops or to present plenary talks.
This has been my experience, and I have received several invitations because of my public writing. For example, I was invited to give a speech at the British Ecological Society’s 2019 annual meeting, and I have been invited to speak at various universities.
In 2021, I was awarded the American Association for the Advancement of Science Mani L. Bhaumik Award for Public Engagement with Science.
Third, communicating with science can help a scientist develop his or her skills and become better at speaking and writing in a publicly accessible language. And it can help scientists learn to be better at using the right tenses for stories. In addition, this can also help build trust between different communities and society.
Fourth, it can allow scientists to provide a public service and provide accurate information about their findings and the latest scientific and technological developments to journalists and policymakers.
Of course, for newbies, it can be very difficult to join the science communication bandwagon. Not only can it be unusual and a new skill to develop, but there are concerns like not being able to control what happens to your writing or how it is used once it is published, or the fact that science continues to evolve, and new information may be compromised. or disagree with previously held facts. But the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
Science communication is important for communicating important scientific information. Scientists must represent science. When scientists become better science communicators, society, the public, and scientists benefit.
Esther Ngumbi, PhD is an Assistant Professor, Department of Entomology, Department of African Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
© Inter Press Service (2024) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service
Source link
