Strategies for improving communication between scientists and the public

Abstract

It is believed that a scientifically literate society benefits the national economy by improving the workforce and raising consumer awareness by helping people appreciate and support scientific advancement. Traditionally, communication between scientists and the public has been viewed as unidirectional, with an 'expert' scientist bestowing information on a recipient perceived to be largely passive and unquestioning. Today, however, the white laboratory coat is no longer a symbol of credibility. Several apparent 'blunders', attributed to the misapplication of science, have led to a heightened demand for information, public consultation and transparency surrounding scientific research and policy making. The current climate of public mistrust of scientists, policy makers and commercially funded research has resulted in a stronger focus on the mechanisms by which science is communicated to and perceived by the general public. Here various strategies for communicating scientific ideas are reviewed, and how they could promote a bidirectional flow of information, thus improving trust and understanding between scientists and non-scientists, is considered. One of the major challenges ahead is to provide suitable opportunities for these exchanges to take place. The next step is to integrate these interactions (and their outcomes) into scientific policy.