The Crucial Role of Science Communication: Bridging the Gap Between Knowledge and Society

Published on July 30, 2023

The intricate interplay of transcription factors binding to enhancer regions, looping of chromatin architecture, and epigenetic modifications on histones collaboratively orchestrate the spatial and temporal gene expression patterns during cellular differentiation, ensuring the development of specialized cell types with diverse functions in multicellular organisms. What the what? The homeostatic equilibrium between cholinergic and dopaminergic neurotransmitter systems in the central nervous system is instrumental in maintaining cognitive functions, and dysregulation of this delicate balance has been implicated in various neuropsychiatric disorders. What does that even mean? Readers new to scientific literature find themselves asking the same questions, oftentimes giving up rather than trying to dissect the impossible puzzle in front of them. Why can’t scientists just write in a way that everyone can understand?

Science, the systematic pursuit of knowledge, has undeniably shaped our world and advanced human civilization in countless ways. However, the true impact of scientific discoveries can only be fully realized when effectively communicated to the wider public. Science communication plays a vital role in breaking down the barriers between the scientific community and society, thus fostering a better-informed populace. Unfortunately, the language that many scientists use is simply far too complicated for everyone to understand, and as a result, valuable information and takeaways are lost in the scientific garble. Take the first sentence from this post, for example:

Now read the following sentence, and see if you understand it any better:

Much better, right? Let’s try the second example now:

Once again, extremely difficult to understand. Try this one now:

How’s that for a change? Was it any easier to grasp the same information?

As discussed by Dr. Ariana Eily in Episode 1, scientists are often given praise for using “academic” language, despite that language being much more difficult for non-experts to understand. Although it may give a more professional aesthetic to the literature, the purpose of the article, which is to inform the reader on specified findings, is not achieved. Science communication is not just an optional accessory to scientific research; it is a fundamental pillar that bridges the gap between science and society. The way scientific information is presented can have a profound impact on public perception, policy decisions, and the future of scientific progress.

Unfortunately, with the advent of modern technology, the spread of misinformation is a rampant problem that hinders successful science communication. This dissemination of misinformation has serious consequences, affecting public understanding, policy decisions, and even public health.

For example, one area where scientific misinformation is especially prevalent is in discussions surrounding vaccinations. Despite overwhelming scientific evidence supporting vaccines’ safety and efficacy, misinformation campaigns have fueled unfounded fears and skepticism, with data pointing to a decrease in childhood vaccination confidence. This has resulted in outbreaks of preventable diseases, putting vulnerable populations at risk. Moreover, scientific misinformation surrounding topics like climate change and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has led to confusion among the public. Misleading narratives and cherry-picked data have sowed doubt about the overwhelming consensus among scientists, hindering collective action to address pressing environmental challenges and sustainably meet the global demand for food.

A recent example of misinformation was with the COVID-19 pandemic: conspiracy theories ran wild across the internet, with some saying that vaccines contain microchips, and others saying that they actually cause COVID. There were many supposed “cures” for COVID as well, from eating burnt oranges to injecting oneself with chloroquine. These claims, which lacked any scientific foundation, caused people to put their own safety at risk, further demonstrating the dangerous influence that misinformation can have.

For explanation’s sake, here’s a figure that demonstrates how the most common COVID vaccine type (the mRNA vaccine) works:

Combating scientific misinformation requires a multi-pronged approach, involving education, media literacy, and improved science communication. Efforts must be made to promote critical thinking skills, encourage fact-checking, and provide accessible and accurate scientific information to the public. Emotional appeal, personification and storytelling have all been shown to be linked to how the public views scientific news, with studies showing that the average person doesn’t care much about the science and the process behind a phenomenon nearly as much as they care about how it affects their lives. Incorporating narratives and real-life examples; visual elements such as infographics, illustrations and videos; and utilizing hands-on experiences and interactive exhibits allow the audience to actively explore scientific concepts, in an approach that will foster a deeper understanding and greater appreciation of scientific findings.

As science builds on itself and delves deeper and deeper into more niche fields, it is becoming increasingly important that the gap between scientists and the public is bridged. It needs to be a two-way effort: just as scientists should make their research as accessible as possible (dubbed “smartening up” in Episode 1) to members of the public, we must actively try to determine which sources are credible, and accept that experts are here to inform rather than persuade. Science is the pursuit of truth, and as such, we should all scrutinize what we read and work to differentiate between the facts presented by a scientist and people’s opinions of those facts to ensure that we are not spreading any misinformation. Keep these thoughts in mind when you’re reading/writing your next article; happy learning everyone, and as always, stay curious!