Jason Delborne - Emerging Technologies and Public Engagement
Communicating Science via the Web - Tools and Tips for Grad Students
1. Communicating Science via the Web
Tools and Opportunities for Graduate Students
Naomi Hirsch
Environmental Health Sciences Center
Superfund Research Center
naomi.hirsch@oregonstate.edu
2. Skills for Success
March 18, 2022
1
Do Good
Science / Write
Clearly for
Diverse
Audiences
Learn to Use
Social Media
Effectively
Share Science
With Passion
Share, engage, network, listen
Be professional Be authentic
3. University of Chicago, National Opinion
Research Center, General Social Survey (2008)
Source: http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind10/c7/c7s1.htm
4. How Much Do People Trust What Scientists Say?
In Science We Trust: Poll Results on How You Feel about Science (Scientific American 9/22/10)
5. Most people learn about
scientific issues on-line Trust scientists
“Trust is not about
information; it’s about
dialogue and transparency”
Borchelt, Friedmann, & Holland
Managing the Trust Portfolio: Science
Public Relations and Social Responsibility
Only 28% percent of
Americans can pass a
basic science literacy
test
Most scientists are not
on-line educating and
informing the public and
policymakers
Science literacy is only a
small factor in how people
form their opinions.
The interplay between
values, religious
affiliation, and the
opinions of others whom
they trust is much more
influential.
6. "Every scientist reading this has a deep passion for science.
I implore you:
let your passion out. Share it with us.
Warmly, with stories, imagination, even with humor.
But most of all, in your own voice.”
- Alan Alda
Communication is not
something extra you add
on to science; it is the
essence of science
7. March 18, 2022
6
Communicating Science
Graphic Credit:
Communicating the science of climate change
Richard C. J. Somerville and Susan Joy Hassol
Physics Today, October 2011, page 48 http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/PT.3.1296
8. Create a Strong Social Network
You
Professors &
Investigators
Individuals
at
professiona
l meetings
Individuals
working in
your field of
interest
Friends
and
family
Interest
groups
OSU
communit
y
9. Expand Network Using Social Media
People talking about
your research and
related research
People who have
interest in your
research
People who need to
know about your
research
Friends and
followers of friends
and family
Journalists and science
writers who want to
write and share about
your research
Potential partners for
research and projects
You
Professors &
Investigators
Individuals
at
professional
meetings
Individuals
working in
your field of
interest
Friends
and
Family
Interest
groups
OSU
community
Be where the
people are
Listen and
learn
11. On-line Tools to Communicate Your Science
1. Create a Professional Website/Blog
(http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/)
• Post your CV and publications
• Share updates, photos and videos from your research
• Tell the world why your research is important
2. Social Media Accounts
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• LinkedIn, Google Scholar
March 18, 2022
10
12. Why Twitter Works
• What people share
• 140 character limit
• Efficiency of posting, replying,
re-tweeting, supporting, dialogue
• #Hashtags (#phd, use specific
science topic)
• Analytics
The People: Journalists, scientists,
bloggers, students, educators, industry,
nonprofits, national, state and local govt,
community leaders, mothers, doctors,
nurses,…
Being accessible,
fostering trust,
and
having platforms
for engagement,
dialogue and
sharing
16. Elevator Speech Videos
March 18, 2022
15
2-minute
Elevator
Speech
2.
Share career
goals
1.
Articulate the
importance
and impact of
your research
3.
personal
values/pass
ion
View Examples
The Environmental Health Sciences Center (EHSC) at Oregon State University has been very successful in expanding the basic science that explains how the impact of environmental stresses can be modulated to promote health. To build a solid foundation to improve health, it is essential that we continue to bore deeper into the underlying mechanisms that impact health benefits as well as risks.
Focus on strong science
In-person Connections / Social Network
Solid clear writing that the public can understand
Practice having dialogue with various audiences via the web
Share your passion when you communicate the science
Peer review prior to posting articles on-line
Responses to “If you wanted to learn about scientific issues such as global warming or biotechnology, where would you get information?”
Govt. Sources are included in the Other category
Internet is where people get their information about science, generally what’s relevant to them..(in the news, tied to political issues, things that impact their health).
We focus on complex science/risk communication issues: low dose, mixtures, windows of exposure, biomedical research ethics, routes of exposure, toxicity screening, etc.
The Internet is the main source of information for learning about specific scientific and emerging hazards and issues.
It’s great that the public does trust the information coming from scientists.
2009 Poll, Your Congress, Your Health.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=in-science-we-trust-poll
Of course, the public is suspicious if scientists are funded by industry in specific areas like GM foods, etc.
It would be nice if it was a simple equation. It’s complex.
We know when it comes to social adaptation and technology, scientists are behind the curve. Although 72% of internet-using Americans are on Facebook, less than 2/3 of college faculty are. Similarly, in one survey, more than half of lab managers said they have never used Facebook.
We want to support the scientific community to be more engaged.
In 2009, Research!America polled the average American and asked them a very simple question: name a living scientist. A sobering 65% didn’t even try, and another 18% got it wrong.
The challenge is that…. poll in 2007 shared that only 28% percent of Americans can pass a basic science literacy test.
*Note: Science literacy is only a small factor in how people form their opinions, while the interplay between values, religious affiliation, and the opinions of others whom they trust is much more influential.
We want people to make responsible decisions on complex scientific issues when only a small percentage of our population—including our policy-makers—has even a basic grasp on the science behind the debates?
The public trusts scientists in general, but part on specific issues…..
It is especially important that we engage in social networking because studies have shown science literacy is only a small factor in how people form their opinions, while the interplay between values, religious affiliation, and the opinions of others whom they trust is much more influential. While political parties and religious organizations jump head first into discussions of their beliefs with anyone who will listen, thus playing an active role in the decision-making process, scientists stand back, hand out facts, and expect that information alone is enough to sway attitudes. Instead of appearing as beacons of knowledge, our actions make us appear stuffy, elitist, and disengaged. By connecting scientists with the rest of the world, social media is the most powerful tool available for us to shift this paradigm.
The best scenario is that the Scientist are where the people are and explain science, which is their passion in their own words. Not just put out information.
TedTalks are great examples! Work internally to help and guide scientists to think differently about how they share their research via the web.
As scientists, we pride ourselves on doing meaningful, cutting-edge research and publishing it in the top-tier journals of our field. The problem is, these publications only communicate science to other scientists.
Wise words of Alan Alda. In an essay for AAAS, he said "Every scientist reading this has a deep passion for science. I implore you: let your passion out. Share it with us. Warmly, with stories, imagination, even with humor . But most of all, in your own voice.”
Think about branding yourself as a scientist
Alan Alda currently at Stony Brook University School of Journalism, Center for Communicating Science, founding member, PBS show Scientific American Frontiers,
if a journalist can’t see why his/her audience might care about your research, he/she will likely not report on it. Provide the implications of the research.
Think about what people care about, and put your research in that context.
Social Network the act of engaging with one another…
Expanding contacts by making connections through individuals.
Social Media is important because…
It takes us to people who talk about our research, have interest in our research, need our research, that we don’t know about…
We have the ability to learn about related research, other people’s interests and needs, and all of the things we don’t know that we don’t know.
World of possibilities – potential partners, listening the needs of various groups, being visible and easy to follow
Fostering a culture of trust, because you care about being transparent and available to everyone.
Social media includes web-based and mobile technologies used to turn communication into interactive dialogue – Tools for community building – bi-directional communication
Publishing your findings is one thing, but it’s just as important to clearly and effectively convey the significance of your research to your dean, a reporter, a senator or a stranger at a party. Simply put, the more people who know the implications of your research, the more opportunities may come for collaboration, funding, influencing public policy and improving societal awareness of science.
Start small and take baby steps
OSU have free space for a website and easy blog set up. Be a resource
The People: Integral part of the news system in the futureCDC's Chris Portier and EPA's Lisa P. Jackson both connect with the public via Twitter.
140 characters on Twitter:
“Hook” title, phrase or quote
Link to visual, photo, and more information
Reply to and support others by retweeting
It’s not just about your center or research – support and share about others
search and promote key works and topics via #hashtags
Twitter Events: Building community – leveraging.
Lisa P. Jackson and Mom’s Clean Air Force. – Twitter event on air pollution and mercury. #momscaf
Archive #hashtag events, good notes of conversations and meetings to share or return to later.
When time is limited, hashtags allow you to find information (I search #superfund, #NIEHS, etc.)
image shows the variety and number of people tweeting with very limited promotion. Besides NIEHS and NIEHS-centers from OSU, UCincinnati, and UW, tweeters included non-profits, individuals, industry and related govt and universities such as NLM, NIH, EHP, and CROET at OHSU, and NPIC and CPPHS at OSU.
Leveraged larger networks like NIEHS and EPA
Summary1. This week brought together a community on air quality and human health. 2. The hashtag #healthyair now can be searched with worthwhile information and resources. However, EPA and others may have used other hashtags, such as #airquality, and we may have missed the opportunity to be in a larger network.3. My number of followers increased, and having a focused week of tweeting helped me gain some skills and practice. (Others may have more to share here)4. I feel it’s worthwhile to have Tweetfests 3-4 times per year. It will build as other Centers begin to recognize the value. Possible Future TweetfestsOctober - Healthy Literacy MonthMarch - World Water Day. Groundwater Awareness WeekApril - National Public Health Week, World Health Day, Earth Day, Cancer Control MonthMay - Asthma and Air, May 6–12, 2012 is Drinking Water Week. Days to focus on SRP projects and have conversations via TwitterEncourage hashtag tweeting and sharing at conferences of interest to others in the network
Educators are a huge audience. People appreciate visuals.
Pinterest is an online pinboard that lets you put your favorite images on a single Web page. You can share your “pins” with others or browse pinboards created by others.
Minimum will organize your information into categories using pictures…. I get people who regularly repin.
Provides exposure, place to comment