Getting to the Heart of Science Communication: A Guide to Effective Engagement

Scientists are increasingly being called upon to speak to the public about difficult and emotional topics; this book is an essential guide to communicating clearly and with empathy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 28 July 2021
Publisher: Island Press

Several years ago, author Faith Kearns delivered a presentation at a community fire day in a northern California town on constructing fire-safe dwellings capable of withstanding increasingly frequent wildfires. Kearns was surprised to find herself facing an audience member whose home had just been destroyed. Kearns had assumed that the straightforward, helpful scientific information she was presenting would be received well, but it had instead traumatized the audience members, forcing Kearns to reevaluate her approach.

Like Kearns, scientists today working on contentious issues such as climate change, drought, and COVID-19 are finding themselves more frequently in the middle of deeply traumatizing or polarized conflicts. It is no longer sufficient for scientists to communicate a scientific topic clearly. They must not only be experts in their fields of study but also experts in navigating the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of the public they engage with, as well as those of their colleagues. The conversations are becoming increasingly fraught.

In Getting to the Heart of Science Communication, Faith Kearns has written a concise guide for navigating the human relationships critical to the success of practice-based science. Using interviews and personal anecdotes, as well as her own insights as a field scientist, Kearns walks readers through the evolution of science communication and how emotional and high-stakes issues have shaped communication. The book's core lies in the middle chapters, where Kearns offers key tools for communicators: listening, working with conflict, and understanding trauma, loss, and healing. She concludes the book with a substantive discussion on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the sciences, as well as advice to readers for handling their own emotional needs in an unpredictable career landscape.

This meticulously researched volume takes science communication to a new level, providing valuable insights and practical tools for communicators in all fields. It is a must-read for anyone interested in improving their communication skills and navigating the complex social and emotional dynamics of science.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781642830743