Science touches nearly every aspect of our lives. Over the past several years, we have invited esteemed guests — both inside and outside of academia — to share a wide variety of perspectives on where science meets society, and the role communication plays. Through these discussions, we have explored new pathways for scientists to think about their own work, and considered ways to strengthen our collective impact.
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Science communication can take many forms, ranging from songwriting and improv to visual art and video games. Elise Littell, a senior in the UW School of Oceanography, started creating scientific comics after experiencing difficulty concentrating during online lectures, and was later featured in the student journal FieldNotes. We sat down with Littell to learn more about her inspiration for this creative endeavor.
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Navigating the human relationships critical to successful practice-based science: a conversation with Faith Kearns It is no longer enough for scientists to communicate a scientific topic clearly; in addition to being experts in their fields of study, they must also be expert enough to navigate the thoughts, feelings and opinions of the people they engage with, as well as their own.
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If you want to grab and keep people’s attention, utilizing storytelling techniques in your communication — written, verbal or otherwise — can be powerful. Storytelling is a tried-and-true method of sharing information, one that long precedes the scientific paper. Good stories appeal to our humanity, tap into our emotions, create a connection and can keep the listener engaged as they become invested in the outcome.
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All too often, we forget about a critical component of successful communication: being a good listener. Communication is, after all, a two-way street; being an effective communicator not only relies on being clear in what you say or do, but also in truly hearing and valuing people’s perspectives, needs, concerns and ideas, too. Listening allows us to empathize and relate to others, giving us a glimpse into their world and their day-to-day life.
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