Science strikes back! Why science communication matters
2020 has been a year full of insecurities, unpredictability and fear. If there is anything the corona epidemic has taught us, it is that international threats require a global response. Science is becoming increasingly central to international relations and foreign policy. Experts are en vogue again.
Today’s globally interconnected and growing civilization is confronted by rapid developments in science and technology. International scientific collaboration is essential to pursue sustainable solutions, maintain peace, stability and constructive cooperation. According to the OECD, scientific advice can best support crisis management during transnational crises, such as those provoked by natural hazards or pandemics. In the past, the media has played a role in how science is depicted, often charged with sensationalism to sell a good story, showing data that do not give the full picture or may be misleading. This together with fake news in times of ‘everybody being connected everywhere’ has not helped the cause of science (and communication of science for that matter).
Science is concerned with certainty, providing the facts to aim at perfect knowledge and accountability. Scientists provide expert information for policy makers to engage effectively at the national and international level to face the problems revealed or generated by science. Science communication is the practice of informing, educating, sharing, and raising awareness of science-related topics. This can happen in the form of outreach i.e. scientists talk to non-expert audiences such as the public or politicians and among the scientific community itself, usually through publication in scientific journals.
Today, science communication appears more important than ever. In times of fake news, technological innovations (that most of us fail to understand but end up using), and with environmental issues that seem ever so complex as they know no borders. All this together with limited trust in the media and our politicians are reasons why we need certainty. Communication of solid research can help decrease this uncertainty, incoherence and bridge society’s divisions.
Five reasons why we need science communication
Better understand complexity
As society, the environment and the economy are inextricably linked, any change in one area will affect the other. All issues tend to overlap: Environment and economics, technology and economics, education and technology, technology and health... and many more. Any change or innovation equals a disruption to the overall system. Understanding the implications of changes for example how the economic realities translate into environmental costs (one great example is climate change) are incredibly complex. Experts and their input are necessary to simplify and better understand these links and potential impacts.
Rebuild trust in media and democracy
A strong and independent media landscape that provides reliable news are vital to our democracies. Fact-checking, ethical standards and transparency of sources are all essential to enable an open discussion with good arguments to make informed decisions.
Education
Science is knowledge. Knowledge is power. Some of every country's most complicated and urgent public policy debates have science at their base. Examples include education, energy policy, health and medical research. As the pace of scientific research accelerates, the average citizen is having to grapple with matters of science in his everyday life for example nutrition and obesity, ageing, waste, pollutants, and much more. But how do we equip the population with the ability to assess the facts? How do we decipher scientific facts from prevailing community perceptions and political spins. Science communicators should not just be scientific fact transmitters, but they need to make room for critical discussion and encourage independent thinking.
Enabling technology and innovation
Most technological innovations tend to be positive, especially in the areas of health, networking and industry. At the same time, it is important to ensure the benefits outweigh the drawbacks for society. Current examples are data privacy in digital networks or the discussion around the environmental impact of the 5G network. Communicating the pros and cons of new technologies can help make informed and balanced decisions.
Collaboration and diplomacy
According to Professor Catherine Elgin at Harvard Graduate School of Education, “learning science includes the pursuit of another attribute: morality.” Scientific inquiry, Elgin says, requires collaboration. Any project, in fields ranging from astrophysics to microbiology, requires a team of scientists that trust each other and work together to get results. The OPENCORONA consortium is such an example. It is a European project with researchers across borders that aim to manufacture a DNA vaccine against Covid19. At the same time science collaboration can be a means for diplomacy. Integrating science into foreign policy cannot only advance national interests, but also tackle shared global challenges is an appropriate response. Science is a neutral platform that allows for less politically charged dialogues, which in turn create bridges that help the overall diplomatic effort. Science is back!