why is science communication so important?

Science is complex and often hard to explain. Yet, it is critical that scientists tell us about what they do and who they are. Failure to talk to the people who support science through tax dollars or donations is an awful mistake: bad for careers, bad for our universities/companies, and bad for the entire field of science. Failure to explain science in a meaningful way also enables anti-science rhetoric to dominate the conversations.  

Recent reports from the National Academy of Science and an NSF-funded conference organized by COMPASS highlight the need to integrate science communication into STEM graduate education programs. (For details, see Communicating Science Effectively: A Research Agenda, and GradSciComm.) Advice, guidance and information on how to establish, grow or maintain such programs are often lacking. CTS provides resources to make it easier to make communication training available to scientists at all careers levels.

Communication is a professional requirement of scientists. Having good oral communication skills...

• Makes people look, sound and feel good 

• Uses stories to explain science 

• Helps people connect with friends, families and colleagues.

• Helps science move forward

• Prevents misunderstandings and lost funding opportunities

• Informs the next generation of scientists 

• Reduces the universal fear of talking in front of a group

• Helps scientists present talks that encourage the audience to listen, remember and enjoy

• Gets people poised for their careers in science

• Helps researchers get funded 

• Teaches people to use their body as well as their voice to speak well

• Helps faculty explain their work to administrators, media and students

• Gives people ways to sustain and further grow their speaking skills 

• Makes people smile and love science!