Research reveals lots of reasons why well-meaning attempts to inform, persuade or correct misinformation go awry. It also identifies ways to avoid these communication backfires.
To build trust with an audience, scientists must demonstrate that they are competent experts. But they must also come across as warm, caring and human.
Over three-quarters of U.S. adults say they think scientists act in the public interest.
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It’s tempting to focus on the minority of Americans who hold negative views about scientists. But blaming others for their lack of trust won’t build the relationships that can boost trust.
Understanding vaccine effectiveness stats can help you weigh the risks of travel.
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Understanding numbers in the news or social media can empower you to figure out risks and make good choices. Here’s what to look out for to make sure you aren’t misled by COVID-19 coverage.
Public service announcements, news articles and social media posts are all part of the coronavirus messaging landscape.
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During the pandemic, clear and reliable health communication can literally be a life-and-death issue. Researchers who focus on the science of science communication highlight strategies that work.
How can more scientists learn to communicate like Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases?
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Scicomm is a hashtag, and there are many programs that claim to teach scientists how to be better communicators. But it’s hard to show exactly what they’re accomplishing.
Science communication succeeds when it takes community knowledge seriously, works with other belief systems, and expects researchers to contribute to society.
Scientists talk about their research because they want their expertise to guide real-world decisions.
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A survey of over a thousand scientists reveals that their goal when communicating about their work is to help the rest of us make evidence-based decisions that draw on scientific findings.
“Science” makes people think optimistically about the future.
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When you ask Americans what the word ‘science’ brings to mind, a majority respond ‘hope.’ Using this built-in brand can help communicate important science messages.
Doctor Who is a popular cosplay theme. But some people base more than just their outfit on the Time Lord’s exploits.
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The first peer-reviewed survey of Doctor Who fans’ attitudes to science reveals it was literally life-changing TV for some. But the verdicts were surprisingly nuanced and sometimes contradictory.
You have a lot of work to do before you step up to the mic.
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Researchers found that aggressive messaging and framing current events as a ‘war on science’ had different effects on how liberals and conservatives felt about scientists’ credibility.
Kindling interest might be better than filling people with facts.
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The scientific community always wants more cash to fund research. A new study examines whether more concrete knowledge of science or more general interest in it is likelier to loosen the pursestrings.