Building a Case for Strategic Science Communications - Davis Masten

TL;DR

The current state of science communication is being outspent and outanalyzed by corporate communications, but there is hope for change with the use of new technologies and a focus on engagement and metrics.

Transcript

[MUSIC] Across the national academies in the United States the stories that are identified and told about the science that is funded by you and me, as taxpayers. And serves the world, as, or, the United States but also the world, as the funding to universities that's provided by the science foundations in the uni, in the United States contributes t... Read More

Key Insights

• 🔬 Science communication is being outspent by corporate communications, and there is a need for positive feedback loops and expertise in science communication.
• 👨‍💼 Metrics and engagement are crucial for effective science communication, but it lags behind business communications in these areas.
• 🔬 New technologies provide opportunities for inventing a fresh start in science communication and making science more relatable to everyday life.
• 🔬 Partnerships between science and entertainment can help in effective science storytelling.
• 🔬 The influence of science communication can be enhanced by finding stories that people are interested in and integrating science into those stories.
• 🪡 The culture of communications in science needs to change to include positive feedback loops and measurement of effectiveness.
• 🔬 The public's engagement and support for science communication are important for securing funding and ensuring its relevance in society.

Questions & Answers

Q: How is science communication currently outshined by corporate communications?

Science communication has less funding compared to the trillion-dollar spending by businesses on communications. There is also a lack of positive feedback loops and expertise in science communication.

Q: Why is engagement important in science communication?

Engagement is important to ensure that science communication is effective and leads to behavior change. Currently, engagement and metrics are lacking in science communication compared to business communications.

Q: How can new technologies help in science communication?

New technologies provide opportunities to engage people and make science more relevant to their everyday lives. For example, citizen science and health apps can involve people in scientific activities and provide them with relevant information.

Q: What are the challenges for science communication in terms of funding?

There is a risk of funding cuts to science communication due to the current budget crisis. Public support for science and research is lukewarm, and it is important to make science communication more engaging and relevant to gain public support.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Science communication is overshadowed by corporate communications and lacks positive feedback loops for improvement.

• Metrics and engagement are key in science communication, but it is currently behind business in these areas.

• New technologies offer opportunities for inventing a fresh start for science communicators and making science more relevant to everyday life.