Bridging the Gap Between Scientists and the Public

During my many years as a disease detective at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), deploying across the globe to respond to public health emergencies and disasters, I’ve seen a recurring pattern. It’s easy—and common—to assume that those of us arriving from overseas are the “real experts,” while those on the ground are not. This mindset creates a false dichotomy between the “helper” and the “helped.” What we need to realize is this: while we may be scientific experts, they are experts too. Even if they don’t have advanced degrees or technical training, they are experts in their culture, their community, and their context. Effective communication with stakeholders requires both humility (acknowledging our strengths without arrogance) and modesty (acknowledging our limitations). Here are 10 lessons scientists can learn from these mistakes when engaging with stakeholders: 1️⃣ Listen First, Speak Second Before sharing your expertise, take the time to listen. Stakeholders often have invaluable insights that can shape your approach. 2️⃣ Acknowledge Local Expertise Even if you’re the scientific expert, remember that stakeholders are experts in their own right. Whether it’s a community leader or a local health worker, their knowledge of the context is irreplaceable. 3️⃣ Avoid a “Savior Complex” The belief that you’re the only one who can solve the problem is not only arrogant but also counterproductive. Collaboration, not domination, is key. 4️⃣ Be Culturally Sensitive Understanding and respecting cultural nuances is critical. Criticism without understanding can come across as tone-deaf and disrespectful, eroding trust. 5️⃣  Build Bridges, Not Walls Effective communication is about finding common ground. We must strive to connect, not alienate. 6️⃣ Be Transparent About Limitations No one has all the answers. Admitting what you don’t know builds credibility and trust. Stakeholders appreciate honesty over false confidence, worse yet, having the confidence of the competent without the competence. 7️⃣ Tailor Your Message One-size-fits-all communication rarely works. Adapt your message to your audience’s needs, values, and priorities. 8️⃣ Avoid Overpromising Setting unrealistic expectations can lead to disappointment and mistrust. Be clear about what you can and cannot achieve. 9️⃣ Foster Long-Term Relationships Trust is built over time. We can nurture enduring partnerships by showing consistent respect and collaboration. 🔟 Reflect and Adapt After every interaction, ask yourself: Did I truly engage with stakeholders, or did I talk over them? Continuous self-reflection is essential for growth. The Bottom Line Communication is not just about sharing information; it’s about building relationships and trust. The best solutions emerge not from a single expert but from the collective wisdom of many. Please reshare so others may benefit ♻️ #Chisquares #ScienceCommunication #StakeholderEngagement #Leadership #Collaboration

When I first started meeting bureaucrats, policymakers, and politicians while working on air pollution and climate change, I assumed scientific research would naturally lead to better policies. But over time, I kept getting the same response—expressed in different ways. Here, I’m sharing some early experiences that shaped my understanding of this disconnect. 🔹 One of my first experiences was when a very senior officer invited us to discuss solutions. As scientists, we proposed a research-driven approach that would take two to three years. His response? "We have funding that must be spent within a year. We expected practical solutions from you. We can’t wait three years—I might even be transferred before then." 🔹 Another realization came when we proposed analyzing pollution sources. A senior officer responded, "We already know the sources—traffic, industry, construction, waste burning, road dust, cooking fuel, etc. Will your study show anything drastically different?" When we explained that our study would refine insights and reduce uncertainties, his response was: "We don’t care about these nuances right now. That detail matters later, once mitigation efforts are underway. Right now, we need feasible solutions that fit economic, demographic, and practical constraints." Another officer later remarked: "Scientists aren’t here to provide solutions. Their focus is securing funding, publishing papers, and showcasing work to funders." He even cited global reports that had never been downloaded. At that moment, I felt disappointed. But I also realized they weren’t entirely wrong—perhaps even more right than I was. Policymakers work within short funding cycles, shifting priorities, and limited tenures—typically three years for an officer, five for a politician. Their constraints are real, and their approach reflects these realities. 💡 This disconnect between science and policy is a major barrier in sustainability. Scientists seek accuracy, while policymakers need actionable, timely solutions. So, how do we bridge this gap? ✔ Policy-Research Intermediaries – Teams that translate scientific findings into actionable policies. ✔ Adaptive Research Timelines – Delivering short-term, high-impact solutions alongside long-term studies. ✔ Collaborative Working Groups – Scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders aligning research with real-world needs. ✔ Flexible Funding Models – Ensuring funding supports both immediate action and long-term research. 🚀 If we don’t bridge this gap, science remains detached from policy, and policy stays reactive instead of proactive. #AirPollution #ClimateAction #SciencePolicy #Sustainability #Collaboration #ResearchToAction

Bridging the Gap: Making research accessible to those who need it most How do we ensure research findings are accessible to the very people they are intended to support? Too often, critical insights are buried behind paywalls, written in complex academic language, and assume a level of prior knowledge that many do not have. In collaboration with DCD-UK, I recently had the privilege of co-producing guidelines aimed at addressing this very issue—specifically in the context of communicating research findings about Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia. The result of this collaboration, which you can explore in our latest paper, represents a journey of co-production. It brought together researchers, practitioners, and those with lived experience of DCD to reflect on how to make research more inclusive and accessible. Importantly, the paper captures the perspectives of the entire team, showcasing how co-production can enrich both the process and the outcomes. This experience highlighted a key takeaway: accessible communication is not just about simplifying language—it’s about meeting people where they are, valuing their lived expertise, and sharing knowledge in ways that empower action. If you're a researcher focusing on DCD or other neurodivergent traits, I urge you to consider how you share your findings. Movement Matters(www.movementmattersuk.org) offers a fantastic platform for submitting non-academic summaries of your work—an excellent way to extend your impact beyond the academic sphere. Many thanks to my co-authors, including Catherine Purcell, @Judith Gentle, Sally Scott-Roberts, Sally Payne, Kate Wilmut and others, for making this project such a collaborative and meaningful effort. Together, we’re taking steps to ensure that research findings truly reach and resonate with the communities they concern most. Let’s keep the conversation going—how do you think we can make research more accessible and impactful? #DCD #Dyspraxia #Neurodiversity #ResearchAccessibility #CoProduction https://lnkd.in/e3QrJ74R

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿: 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝘄𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗸𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗡 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 Last week on Nothing Ventured, I spoke to Ash Ravikumar, a professional in science entrepreneurship with immense experience in commercialising advanced technologies. He served for 5 years as an Entrepreneurship Development Officer at CERN, where he designed and launched CERN Venture Connect, a platform aimed at bridging science with industry through standardising licensing agreements and facilitating spinouts. Ash has held key roles in organisations such as UniQuest, the University of Melbourne, and Honeywell, focusing on technology transfer, business development, and commercialisation. Ash’s passion lies in material science, IP strategy, and fostering innovation at the intersection of science and entrepreneurship and he is building Atom Factory to accelerate tech transfer globally. We talked about: ↳ The Importance of Making Science Accessible: Ash discussed how science has become too academic and elitist, often leaving the general public disconnected from its wonders. He talked about the need to bridge this gap by making scientific knowledge more accessible and enjoyable for everyone, not just academics. This is crucial for inspiring the next generation of scientists and innovators. Let's shift the narrative from memorising equations to fostering curiosity and understanding science better! ↳ Rethinking Tech Transfer Models: During his time at CERN, Ash developed the Venture Connect program, which revolutionised the approach to tech transfer. Instead of focusing on capturing equity, he prioritised speed and efficiency in getting technologies into the hands of startups. By standardising licensing agreements and minimising barriers, Ash showed that the goal should be to facilitate innovation rather than control it. This approach could serve as a model for universities and research institutions worldwide, encouraging them to focus on the impact of their inventions rather than just financial returns. ↳ Building a Distributed Manufacturing Ecosystem: Ash's vision for Atom Factory is nothing short of groundbreaking. By leveraging existing university resources and equipment, he aims to create a decentralised marketplace for manufacturing that allows researchers to scale their innovations from milligrams to kilograms without the heavy capital expenditure typically required. This model not only supports academic research but also accelerates the commercialization of new materials, making it easier for startups to prove their concepts and attract investment. Subscribe and rate wherever you get your podcasts! YouTube: https://lnkd.in/dhyJD6rF Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dNKkeyCB Apple: https://lnkd.in/dxhV5yXP

What’s stopping evidence from driving better policy? A fundamental disconnect between researchers and policymakers may hold the answer. 👉 77% of policymakers undervalue science advice, while 73% of researchers struggle to understand policy processes. This gap creates significant challenges in tackling global issues such as climate change, public health crises, and the regulation of emerging technologies. The solution? This Nature editorial (link in the comments) highlights two critical elements: 1️⃣ The vital role of knowledge brokers: bridging the gap between complex research into actionable insights for policymakers, ensuring evidence is not only heard but also understood and applied. 2️⃣ Training for researchers – equipping them with the skills to effectively engage with policy spaces. For researchers, engaging with policy is about more than sharing academic evidence it is: 👍 Communicating complex ideas in accessible language. 👍 Building trust and understanding differing priorities. 👍 Learning how government systems and timelines operate. The message is clear: If we want research to shape a better world, we must invest in the people and processes that connect science and policy. #EvidenceInformedPolicy #KnowledgeBrokers #ResearchImpact #ScienceCommunication

When science gets controversial, transparency is the solution according to Fiona Fox. I had the privilege of discussing the intricate dance between science and media with Fiona Fox, CEO of the UK's Science Media Center and author of "Beyond the Hype: The Inside Story of Science's Biggest Media Controversies." 🔍 With over 20 years steering the SMC, Fiona Fox is a beacon of wisdom on the media’s pivotal role in bridging the gap between scientists and society. This interview sheds light on her journey, the evolving landscape of scientific engagement, and how media narratives shape public discourse on science. 👁️🗨️ Discover how transparency in science, especially in controversial areas like animal research, can revolutionise public perception and trust. 📢 Fiona advocates for a cultural shift, valuing scientists who can navigate both research and public dialogue to demystify science and foster societal trust. 👩🔬🔬 Are you a scientist aspiring to make your research resonate with the public? Or an institution aiming to bolster public trust? This interview offers invaluable lessons, inspiring stories, and practical advice on elevating science communication. 📺 Don't miss out on this enlightening exchange that bridges science, media, and society. Watch it 👇 for free on Issue #6 of SWIPE SciComm https://lnkd.in/g4Tr-ps7 BTW Today is the last day to enter Fiona’s book giveaway (see at the bottom of the article)