When I began grad school, I set a goal: for my parents to understand the basics of my research. Neither have a background in science or research.
[socialpoll id=”2647412″]Over the past two years they’ve heard me yammer on about urbanization, genotypes, and common garden experiments. I can tell that my efforts are not wasted by the way they’ve changed how they paraphrase my research to their friends (e.g. Day 1: “Sophie is saving the monarchs!“. Day 730: “Sophie is studying how city life affects common milkweed!“). Last week I actually had a conversation with my dad about niche partitioning after he finished reading “Darwin’s Dreampond” (which he picked up on his own volition!) Though some concepts are still (understandably) beyond their grasp, I am proud of them for learning about urban-rural gradients and adaptation when they’ve spent most of their lives immersed in occupations very different from my own.
My parents are lovely people and all, but they’re only the beginning. As members of local and global communities, our quality of life depends on society’s comprehension of fundamental scientific facts. If we don’t understand the basic tenets of science as it relates to climate change, disease outbreaks, vaccinology, and many other spheres, then we will have cause to make choices that endanger ourselves and others. We must produce clear, accessible, and inspiring communications so that those of us outside the “ivory tower” can benefit from what we academics devote our lives to: the production of knowledge. The benefits of good science communication are limitless:
When scientists are able to communicate effectively beyond their peers to broader, non-scientist audiences, it builds support for science, promotes understanding of its wider relevance to society, and encourages more informed decision-making at all levels, from government to communities to individuals. It can also make science accessible to audiences that traditionally have been excluded from the process of science. It can help make science more diverse and inclusive.
-Mónica I. Feliú-Mójer, “Effective Communication, Better Science”
If you’re interested to try your hand at breaking down urban evolutionary biology and putting it back together in a way that your next-door neighbor could understand, this blog is an excellent place to develop your written science communication skills. Give it a try! Did I mention that it’s also a fun and rewarding way to give back to your community?
And so, with all these ideas in mind, I recently created a StoryMap about the fundamentals of urban evolution. My original intention was to post this on my website in case non-specialists stopped by (hence the description of my own research), but I’ve since realized that it’d probably more useful if I actively shared it with the science community. My goal was to consolidate the basics of this awesome field into an engaging and interactive package with clear language that is accessible to the general public. My hope is that it will give people the confidence and inspiration to learn about science, which can be intimidating no matter how many degrees you have. Please feel free to use it for your own science communication ventures, teaching engagements, or send it to your parents if they still think you’re trying to “save the monarchs”. 😉
- Why Participate in Science Communication? + Urban Evolution Teaching Resource - June 9, 2020
- Urban Observation of the Week: Zombies! Brains! Fungi! - October 30, 2019
- What is the “Indoor Biome”? - September 3, 2019
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