Scientific Communication Techniques

Regardless of what you've been told, academic communication and dissemination is (much) more than just publishing. When I started my research career, I thought publishing papers was the key part of being successful in academia. Needles to say, was I wrong! Academic communication is a powerful ecosystem that extends far beyond peer-reviewed journals. Here are 5 critical communication channels every academic should master: 1. Conference Presentations • Storytelling matters more than dense data slides • Practice your narrative arc • Engage, don't just inform 2. Digital Platforms • Twitter/X for rapid knowledge sharing • LinkedIn for professional networking • Personal blogs for deeper insights • YouTube for visual explanations 3. Collaborative Workshops • Cross-disciplinary dialogue • Knowledge co-creation • Breaking academic silos 4. Public Engagement • Science communication podcasts • Media interviews • Community lectures • Making complex ideas accessible 5. Mentorship & Dialogue • Guiding next-generation researchers • Informal knowledge transfer • Building intellectual communities Pro Tip: Your research impact isn't measured just by publication count, but by how widely and effectively you communicate your insights. Have you expanded your academic communication beyond traditional publishing? What strategies have worked best for you? #PhD #Research #Science #Scientist #Academia #Professor #Nature #Publishing

Many #datavisualization, #dashboard, and #datastorytelling mistakes can be traced back to this simple problem: taking a presenter rather than an audience perspective. 🙋🏻 When designing data charts 📊, are you designing them with the audience in mind? I’ve often found that data communicators expect their audience to see the data from their perspective without evaluating their visuals from the audience’s viewpoint. They assume that what works for them will also work for their audience. This approach can be a recipe for disaster if you don’t know your audience very well. Before rushing to present some data, you should learn as much about your audience as possible. 👉 Knowledge level: How familiar are they with the topic or data? 👉 Relevance: How relevant or meaningful is your data to them? 👉 Context: What background information or assumptions are they missing? 👉 Data literacy: Will they be able to make sense of your charts? Once you've gained this understanding, you can attempt to design the data charts in a way that makes the most sense for your audience. It's also valuable to ask for feedback from colleagues or audience members beforehand to test your approach and fix potential problems. A common excuse I hear from data professionals is that they don’t have time to tailor their content to each audience. While it’s true that you might not be able to do it all the time, it is crucial to do it as much as possible. If you don’t make time to take an audience-centric approach, you will continue to be “busy” without driving meaningful outcomes. This type of shortsighted mindset makes you vulnerable when leaders begin to question what value you’re providing. What has helped you maintain an audience-centric perspective when designing your data charts, dashboards, and data stories?

Ever tried fitting a square peg into a round hole? That's what we're doing with communication in construction! Last Thursday at the conference on mental health, I had an interesting discussion. It got me thinking about our 'one size fits all' approach to messaging. We overlook so much: 📖 Literacy skills. Did you know the average reading age in the UK is shockingly low? Yet, we bombard everyone with academic, formal writing. 💬 The way we receive and interpret messages. What's wrong with pictures? Ever heard the saying, 'A picture paints a thousand words'? 🗣️Language barriers. English as a second language isn't rare in our industry. 🧠 The way we process information. We all have different methods, interests, and attention spans. 👂 Visual noise. Posters that fade into the background in shades of grey. And no, I don’t mean that book! Here's the harsh truth: We're communicating like we're shouting through a megaphone. Broadcasting to everyone, but not really connecting with anyone. So, what can we do? • Tailor your message   Know your audience. Speak to them, not at them. • Utilise visual aids   Use images and diagrams. They often convey complex ideas more effectively. • Simplify your language   Use plain English. Avoid jargon and complex terms. • Embrace diversity   Recognise different backgrounds and literacy levels. Adapt your communication style accordingly. • Seek feedback   Engage your audience. Ask them how they prefer to receive information.    Let's stop trying to fit everyone into the same box.

Many amazing presenters fall into the trap of believing their data will speak for itself. But it never does… Our brains aren't spreadsheets, they're story processors. You may understand the importance of your data, but don't assume others do too. The truth is, data alone doesn't persuade…but the impact it has on your audience's lives does. Your job is to tell that story in your presentation. Here are a few steps to help transform your data into a story: 1. Formulate your Data Point of View. Your "DataPOV" is the big idea that all your data supports. It's not a finding; it's a clear recommendation based on what the data is telling you. Instead of "Our turnover rate increased 15% this quarter," your DataPOV might be "We need to invest $200K in management training because exit interviews show poor leadership is causing $1.2M in turnover costs." This becomes the north star for every slide, chart, and talking point. 2. Turn your DataPOV into a narrative arc. Build a complete story structure that moves from "what is" to "what could be." Open with current reality (supported by your data), build tension by showing what's at stake if nothing changes, then resolve with your recommended action. Every data point should advance this narrative, not just exist as isolated information. 3. Know your audience's decision-making role. Tailor your story based on whether your audience is a decision-maker, influencer, or implementer. Executives want clear implications and next steps. Match your storytelling pattern to their role and what you need from them. 4. Humanize your data. Behind every data point is a person with hopes, challenges, and aspirations. Instead of saying "60% of users requested this feature," share how specific individuals are struggling without it. The difference between being heard and being remembered comes down to this simple shift from stats to stories. Next time you're preparing to present data, ask yourself: "Is this just a data dump, or am I guiding my audience toward a new way of thinking?" #DataStorytelling #LeadershipCommunication #CommunicationSkills

Interested in turning likes and shares into lasting change? This is how and why we need to bring behavioural science into #SocialMedia ⬇️ Since 2020, colleagues at WHO and I have been working closely with Meta’s Stephanie Sasser, Burak Karagol, Kylie Holmes and Michael Sullivan to apply the Brand Lift Study tool to our COVID-19 campaigns throughout the pandemic. After three years of experiments, this work evolved into a new research project where we started testing different message framings, grounded in behavioural insights theories, to communicate health risks on social media. The viewpoint piece below with Simon Williams and Elena Altieri is the first in a series exploring why and how the impact of social media content can be improved by applying behavioural science. The truth is: designing campaigns through a behavioural lens takes expertise and time. And time is often of the essence in social media, where success is measured in reach and engagement. But if the goal is lasting change in people's health decision-making, a slower, more rigorous approach can truly pay off. This project has been a chance to move from intuition-driven campaigns to behavioural science-informed communication, helping social media not just spread information, but truly drive perception and knowledge change. More to come. Stay tuned! P.S. Brand Lift Study is a Meta tool that allows organisations to attach a survey to their campaign. The survey is then randomly distributed to two groups: users exposed to the campaign and a control group who were not. The positive difference in desired responses is the so-called “lift” -- the measurable impact the campaign has on the audience's risk perception. This is something engagement metrics alone cannot capture. P.P.S. Thanks to Mohamed Gulaid, Giselle Miguens, Laiah Idelson and Carole GUIET who were also part of the project team.

In this time of alternative truth, social truths and outright denial of science, I saw a hopeful (scientific) article in Nature Magazine ( 👉 https://lnkd.in/eskKJxtD) researching the public trust in science in 68 countries. Why is this important? For instance, societies with high public trust in science and scientists dealt more effectively with the COVID-19 pandemic, as citizens were more likely to comply with non-pharmaceutical COVID-19 interventions and had higher vaccine confidence. People with high trust in scientists are also more likely to engage in individual and collective action on climate change. Some of the findings of the study: 🟡 Trust in scientists remains moderately high worldwide, countering the claim of a "crisis in trust." (also, if you look into the results (👇) you see for instance the US scoring relatively high in terms of trust in science). 🟡 Populist movements, led by figures like Trump and others, have fueled anti-science rhetoric, undermining public confidence in climate change, vaccines, and other critical issues. 🟡 Right-leaning and conservative groups show lower trust in scientists (see map 👇) , especially in countries where populist leaders have actively dismissed scientific expertise. The fight for public trust in science is part of the broader battle against disinformation and populist narratives. Trust isn't just about believing in facts—it's about ensuring science is seen as a tool for everyone, not just the elite. 🚨 The way forward: 🟢 Boost transparency and openness in science to address perceptions of elitism. 🟢Align scientific efforts with public priorities like health, energy, and poverty reduction to regain trust. 🟢 Foster inclusive dialogue that bridges ideological divides and counters disinformation. https://lnkd.in/eskKJxtD

Community-engaged research is a collaborative approach that involves the active participation of both community members and organizations, ensuring that research efforts are aligned with community needs and priorities.    A new report authored by The Humana Foundation's Heather Hyden and Soojin Conover is a great resource for organizations who would like to develop or revise their own research strategies.    The report highlights community-engaged research best practices and more while emphasizing the importance of listening to communities, building trust, and prioritizing lived experiences as essential components of improving access to healthcare for all.   Their full report and executive summary can be found at this link: https://lnkd.in/eFyh8T49

Under the microscope, tissues and cells look complex and beautiful. But without context, their story can be hard to follow, much like the science behind them. That’s why I’m so passionate about accessible science communication. In biotech and life sciences, breakthroughs like gene editing and cell therapies are extraordinary. But if they’re hidden behind technical language, we miss the chance to inspire, build trust, and show their real-world impact. At Thermo Fisher Scientific, I’ve seen how storytelling can unlock that understanding. We tell stories about the researchers, patients and innovators behind science to bring discoveries to life, use formats like podcasting to make complex topics approachable to spark curiosity beyond the lab, and social media to turn small scientific details into moments of wonder for a broad audience. The communicator’s role is to help people see both the beauty and the meaning behind the work so that people can feel connected to it. The most successful science communicators are shifting their focus from complexity to clarity. 💡 They translate research into stories that resonate with non-scientists. 💡 They highlight the why behind innovation, not just the how. 💡 They use plain language without sacrificing scientific accuracy. When we make science more accessible, we don’t dilute it. We amplify it. And in doing so, we bring more people into the conversation, which is where real impact begins.

Make deforestation newsworthy. That’s a core principle behind much of the work we do at Mongabay. We're not as eye-catching as Greenpeace (pictured), but we doggedly report on it. I highlighted this as one of our key strategies during a talk on Friday at the International Society of Tropical Foresters (ISTF) conference hosted at the Yale School of the Environment. My talk covered 5 main themes, including the role of science communication in tropical forest governance. One of the biggest gaps in forest governance is communication. Policy change is nearly impossible if the right information doesn’t reach the right people at the right time. And let’s be honest—many of the conversations happening in expert circles aren’t resonating with the decision-makers and communities who matter most. Good communication isn’t a footnote in conservation. It’s fundamental to progress. Here are 7 ways science communication can strengthen forest governance: Raise awareness & drive engagement ↳ Well-communicated science makes deforestation, degradation, and ecosystem services more accessible. 🌳 e.g. Forests don’t just store carbon—they regulate the water cycle. Water security is tangible to people in ways CO₂ isn’t. Making that connection can shift priorities. Broaden the constituency for forests ↳ Messaging tailored to local contexts builds public demand for better governance. 🔥 e.g. Environmental crises are becoming personal for more people. When science is clear and credible, it expands the base of those who care. Shape policy & promote transparency ↳ Translating scientific data into actionable insights helps leaders make informed decisions. 📉 e.g. Satellite imagery in the Amazon helped drive policies that contributed to a sharp drop in deforestation in Brazil. Foster cross-sector collaboration ↳ Effective communication aligns scientists, policymakers, businesses, and NGOs toward shared goals. 🐘 e.g. Emerging research links biodiversity loss to reduced carbon storage in forests—bringing two historically separate fields together. Build trust & navigate complexities ↳ Accessible, transparent communication increases public buy-in for science-based policies. 🤝 e.g. People are more likely to support solutions when they understand the science behind them. Facilitate behavioral change ↳ Science can influence consumer and corporate decisions by showing the real-world impact of unsustainable practices. 🌴 e.g. Data on deforestation for palm oil fueled campaigns that led to corporate zero-deforestation commitments—and a significant decline in forest clearing for the crop in Indonesia 🇮🇩. Inspire new ideas & innovation ↳ Stories of success empower people. Solutions can give them something to act on. 🌈 e.g. “Bad news drains me. Solutions make me feel like I can do something.” This shift in framing fuels creativity and action. The takeaway? If we want better forest governance, we need better science communication.

This is the golden age of fan engagement. Football clubs are in an unprecedented position where they can connect with fans across all generations. 👉 Clubs can now tailor their communication strategies to resonate with diverse audience segments. ❓ ❓ How can clubs use the various platforms strategically? ✅ TikTok ☑ Utilize youth-oriented language and slang to connect with a younger, trend-following audience. ☑ Discuss popular trends like trap music and gaming to captivate the interest of tech-savvy fans. ✅ Facebook ☑ Engage in conversations about parenthood, showcasing the club's commitment to family values. ☑ Explore the rich history of the club, fostering a sense of nostalgia among long-time supporters. ☑ Highlight city pride to deepen the connection between the club and its local community. ✅ LinkedIn ☑ Showcase the entrepreneurial spirit of the club's city by featuring local business leaders and entrepreneurs associated with the club. ☑ Emphasize the club's role in fostering economic growth and community development. ✅ Twitch ☑ Establish a presence on Twitch, essentially creating a personalized television channel for the club. ☑ Develop ad-hoc programs, including behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with players and fans, and interactive content to engage fans in real-time. ✅ Pinterest ☑ Curate boards displaying the most captivating images of the stadium, capturing the essence and atmosphere during matches. ☑ Showcase products for sale, transforming Pinterest into a visually appealing marketplace. 🔷 Final Thoughts ❗ This multi-platform approach ensures that football clubs can cater to the diverse interests and preferences of their fan base. 👉 Clubs can today create a comprehensive and inclusive fan engagement strategy that spans across generations. You can connect to a mum and a teenager at the same time on three different platforms! ❗ Clubs can now foster a deep and lasting connection with fans, ensuring the club's sustained success both on and off the pitch. ✔ I created a couple of strategies on how the club can produce content constantly. I will post them soon. ❓ On which platform do you follow your club? #footballbusiness #linkedinsports #socialmedia