Considerations for effective science communication
Open accessAbstract
It is increasingly common for scientists to engage in sharing science-related knowledge with diverse knowledge users—an activity called science communication. Given that many scientists now seek information on how to communicate effectively, we have generated a list of 16 important considerations for those interested in science communication: (1) Define what science communication means to you and your research; (2) Know—and listen to—your target audience; (3) Consider a diverse but coordinated communication portfolio; (4) Draft skilled players and build a network; (5) Create and seize opportunities; (6) Be creative when you communicate; (7) Focus on the science in science communication; (8) Be an honest broker; (9) Understand the science of science communication; (10) Think like an entrepreneur; (11) Don’t let your colleagues stop you; (12) Integrate science communication into your research program; (13) Recognize how science communication enhances your science; (14) Request science communication funds from grants; (15) Strive for bidirectional communication; and (16) Evaluate, reflect, and be prepared to adapt. It is our ambition that the ideas shared here will encourage readers to engage in science communication and increase the effectiveness of those already active in science communication, stimulating them to share their experiences with others.
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Identifying and understanding the target audience and forum may help encourage reciprocal engagement from the audience.
“Similarly, identifying and understanding the target audience and forum can help you to focus on activities that promote the effective delivery of your message and may help encourage reciprocal engagement from the audience [4].”
From Ten simple rules for improving communication among scientists (2022) · cites this paper as [4]
Identifying and understanding the target audience and forum can help you focus on activities that promote the effective delivery of your message.
“Similarly, identifying and understanding the target audience and forum can help you to focus on activities that promote the effective delivery of your message and may help encourage reciprocal engagement from the audience [4].”
From Ten simple rules for improving communication among scientists (2022) · cites this paper as [4]
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- Authors
- Cooke, S. J., Gallagher, A. J., Sopinka, N. M., Nguyen, V. M., Skubel, R. A., Hammerschlag, N., Boon, S., Young, N., & Danylchuk, A. J.
- Affiliations
- Carleton University (CA)
- University of Miami (US)
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (CA)
- Creekside Communication, Cobble Hill, BC V0R 1L6, Canada
- University of Ottawa (CA)
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (US)
- ORCID
- Venue
- FACETS
- Publisher
- Canadian Science Publishing
- Published
- 2017-01-01
- Volume
- 2
- Pages
- 233-248
- ISSN
- 2371-1671 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2592518706
- Cited by
- 134
- References
- 48
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 33 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 2
- FWCI
- 14.10
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- FACETS (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Canada Research Chairs
- Mitacs
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Information Systems and Management › Academic Publishing and Open Access
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Information Systems and Management › Research, Science, and Academia
- Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Science and Science Education
- Keywords
- science communication, knowledge users, target audience, honest broker, two-way communication
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