People often try to seem confident and certain in their message so it will be trusted and acted upon. But when information is in flux, research suggests you should be open about what you don’t know.
The “Which Virus Are You” website was a fun and informative way to talk to young people about the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccines.
(Marion Cossin)
Hooking trees up to internet-connected sensors provides a new way to study how they interact with the environment - and how the public interacts with their tweets.
One of the most popular default colour palettes, rainbow, can actually produce misleading information.
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It’s important for scientists to present their data in a accessible and comprehensible manner. However, the colour palettes commonly used to communicate information can also distort and misrepresent it.
Stories about the impact of climate change can help spur people to action.
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Storytelling can be a powerful tool to communicate complicated crises like climate change. Telling relatable and local stories can help motivate people to action.
In the reluctance to vaccinate, there is a lack of trust and understanding of the scientific process. Better communication would help rebuild bridges.
The Canadian Press/Paul Chiasson
Before the pandemic, the public perceived science as infallible and inaccessible. But the opening up of research to the general public has changed that perception.
September 11, 2021 marks the 18 month anniversary of the WHO declaring the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.
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Katelyn Jetelina, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
A lot has happened since the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. A portrait in data highlights trends in everything from case counts, to research publications, to variant spread.
Studying trends in public adverse event reporting could help researchers address vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
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Anti-vaccine activists are using the side effect reporting system to spread fear and misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines. But the database could also be used as a gauge for public concerns.
With climate action more crucial than ever, the IPCC needs to communicate clearly and strongly to as many people as possible. So how is it going so far?
Nearly a quarter of survey participants were still hesitant about getting vaccinated. Some were not even open to persuasion. Communication campaigns must be tailored to the fears of sub-populations.
Scientists from the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa at Scifest Africa 2019 engage with visitors.
The South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity
Scientists enjoyed informing, exciting and inspiring the public.
Listening to science is a lot easier for politicians when behind-the-scenes intermediaries are there to help.
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Before new policy can be based on evidence, decision-makers need to understand the relevant research. Intermediaries between scientists and policymakers translate information and build relationships.
Understanding how different bodies of water connect across South Africa may drive improved conservation and awareness.
Jaco van Rensburg/Shutterstock
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.
Noam Galai via Getty Images
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.
If what you’re reading seems too good to be true, it just might be.
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