Articles on Science communication

Displaying 1 - 20 of 182 articles

Bioblocks, created for the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon. Swansea University

July 14, 2017

Research as art: revealing the creativity behind academic output

Richard Johnston, Swansea University

Research is not just about producing papers.

The message might not come through if you put all your communication eggs in one theoretical basket. buydeephoto/Shutterstock.com

July 5, 2017

Facts versus feelings isn’t the way to think about communicating science

John Cook, George Mason University and Sander van der Linden, University of Cambridge

Reports of facts' death have been greatly exaggerated. Effective communication jettisons the false dilemma in favor of a more holistic view of how people take in new information on contentious topics.

And don’t expect chocolate ice cream, either. Barney Moss

June 29, 2017

Take that chocolate milk survey with a grain of salt

Lauren Griffin, University of Florida and Troy Campbell, University of Oregon

Millions of Americans believe brown cows produce chocolate milk? The way the media reported this factoid raises questions about science literacy – but different ones than you may think.

Interviewing scientists - shown here is physicist Louise Harra - is a skill that takes experience and in depth knowledge on the part of the journalist. uclmaps/flickr

June 20, 2017

Science journalism is in Australia’s interest, but needs support to thrive

Joan Leach, Australian National University

The number of specialist science journalists in Australia has dropped from around 35 to less than five over the period 2005-2017.

A shot of fake news now and your defenses are raised in the future? funnyangel/Shutterstock.com.

May 15, 2017

Inoculation theory: Using misinformation to fight misinformation

John Cook, George Mason University

Does science have an answer to science denial? Just as being vaccinated protects you from a later full-blown infection, a bit of misinformation explained could help ward off other cases down the road.

People seem to think industry-funded research belongs in the garbage. mllejules/Shutterstock.com

May 8, 2017

People don’t trust scientific research when companies are involved

John C. Besley, Michigan State University; Aaron M. McCright, Michigan State University; Joseph D. Martin, University of Leeds; Kevin Elliott, Michigan State University, and Nagwan Zahry, Michigan State University

Scientists need funding to do their work. But a new study finds turning to industry partners taints perceptions of university research, and including other kinds of partners doesn't really help.

A baby Hawaiian bobtail squid, measuring just 1.5cm across, is pictured using photomacrography. Mark R Smith/Macroscopic Solutions

May 3, 2017

An artist’s lens on the wonders of the world brings science to life

Rob Kesseler, University of the Arts London

A better understanding of science among ordinary people validates the vast amounts of public funds spent on scientific research.

Will Bill Nye’s new show find a wider audience than Neil deGrasse Tyson’s ‘Cosmos’ did? Vince Bucci/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images

April 26, 2017

Can Bill Nye – or any other science show – really save the world?

Heather Akin, University of Pennsylvania; Bruce W. Hardy, Temple University; Dietram A. Scheufele, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Dominique Brossard, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Popular programming that focuses on science tends to not actually be all that popular. Bringing in new audiences who aren't already up to speed on science topics is a challenge.

Rhetoric can teach scientists how to effectively communicate what’s going on in the lab to the rest of us. Joshua Mayer

April 21, 2017

Defending science: How the art of rhetoric can help

Leah Ceccarelli, University of Washington

If you've only ever paired the idea of 'rhetoric' with 'empty,' think again. Rhetoricians of science have concrete techniques to share with researchers to help them communicate their scientific work.

What happens to their credibility when scientists take to the streets? February 2017 Stand Up for Science rally in Boston. Adam Salsman

April 19, 2017

Can March for Science participants advocate without losing the public’s trust?

Emily Vraga, George Mason University

The research community tends to assume advocacy doesn't mix with objectivity. One study suggests there's room for scientists to make real-world recommendations without compromising their trusted status.

UK scientists protest against proposed cuts in 2010. Shane/Flickr

March 30, 2017

How scientists should communicate their work in a post-truth era

Andy Miah, University of Salford

From mistrust in experts to fake news, it has never been more important for scientists to talk directly to the public.

With the right skills, scientists can draw journalists like bees to honey. Shutterstock

March 26, 2017

A scientist with a fascinating story? Some tips on how to make it soar

Marina Joubert, Stellenbosch University

Is there an art - or a science - to figuring out what stories will soar from the lab to the front page?

Robotics as entertainment can help people engage with the real science. Queensland Museum/World Science Festival Brisbane

March 23, 2017

Let me entertain you – that’s how to get a science message across

Jamie Freestone, The University of Queensland

If you make science entertaining then people are prepared to pay attention.

What message is this really sending? Shutterstock

March 13, 2017

Seven things to keep in mind if you’re going to March for Science

Will J Grant, Australian National University and Rod Lamberts, Australian National University

If those Marching for Science muddle their message, it may backfire on them. So here are some tips to help make sure the message is heard loud and clear by the right audience.

For some parents, the decision to vaccinate requires more than just objective evidence. rocketboom/flickr

March 9, 2017

Australians’ attitudes to vaccination are more complex than a simple ‘pro’ or ‘anti’ label

Julie Leask, University of Sydney; Margie Danchin, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, and Nina J Berry, University of Sydney

Whilst most parents do vaccinate, health professionals often find it difficult to talk with those who are hesitant or decline. A new resource provides information and communication support.

The March for Science will build on other rallies that encourage the use of scientific evidence in forming policy. AAP Image/Mal Fairclough

March 8, 2017

Why we’re marching for science in Australia

Stuart Khan, UNSW

March for Science rallies will take place in cities around Australia on Saturday 22 April. A volunteer organiser explains why he and others are participating.

How you package the information matters. Frame image via www.shutterstock.com.

March 6, 2017

Communicating climate change: Focus on the framing, not just the facts

Rose Hendricks, University of California, San Diego

Are we in a race against climate change? Or is it a war? How does thinking of the past or the future affect your support for the science? Researchers are learning how metaphors and context matter.

Stories in the media are often the first or even the only way that people hear about science and medical news. So we need to get the reporting right. from www.shutterstock.com

February 16, 2017

Essays on health: reporting medical news is too important to mess up

Patrizia Furlan, University of South Australia

Health reporting requires asking the right questions and doing quality research. But specialist skills are also handy, especially when it comes to knowing the language and processes of science.

There are many considerations that go into buying food, and science is just one. Shutterstock

February 15, 2017

Perceptions of genetically modified food are informed by more than just science

Heather Bray, University of Adelaide and Rachel A. Ankeny, University of Adelaide

Informing people about genetically modified food means more than dumping more facts on them.

Pardon me while I blow this out of proportion. Blowfish image via www.shutterstock.com.

February 10, 2017

What do gorilla suits and blowfish fallacies have to do with climate change?

John Cook, George Mason University

Laser-like focus on a tiny, unimportant detail can mean you miss the gorilla in the room – a tactic climate change deniers use to cast doubt on the science.

Top contributors

Rod Lamberts
Deputy Director, Australian National Centre for Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University
Will J Grant
Senior Lecturer, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University
John Cook
Research Assistant Professor, Center for Climate Change Communication, George Mason University
Peter Ellerton
Lecturer in Critical Thinking, Director of the UQ Critical Thinking Project, The University of Queensland
Craig Cormick
Science communicator and communication consultant to Questacon, and alumni, CSIRO
Marina Joubert
Science Communication Researcher, Stellenbosch University
Jonathan Borwein (Jon)
Laureate Professor of Mathematics, University of Newcastle
Michael J. I. Brown
Michael J. I. Brown is a Friend of The Conversation.

Associate professor, Monash University
David H. Bailey
PhD; Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (retired) and Research Fellow, University of California, Davis
Merlin Crossley
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Professor of Molecular Biology, UNSW
John C. Besley
Associate Professor of Advertising and Public Relations/Ellis N. Brandt Endowed Chair, Michigan State University
Peter C. Doherty
Laureate Professor, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
Ove Hoegh-Guldberg
Director, Global Change Institute, The University of Queensland
Danny Kingsley
Head, Office of Scholarly Communication, University of Cambridge, University of Cambridge
Suzanne Cory
Research Professor, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute