Two-way communication (Source: www.legacee.com)

For communication professionals, effectively communicating highly technical or scientific information presents a challenge. Perhaps the only greater challenge lies in promoting public participation and productive public discourse surrounding that technical or scientific information.

With more than 15 years experience utilizing verbal and visual communication methods to share information about and encourage public participation surrounding the recently completed mission to destroy the nation’s stockpile of World War II-era chemical weapons, we eagerly attended the recent Arthur M. Sackler Colloquia of the National Academy of Sciences entitled, The Science of Science Communication.

The colloquia certainly met our expectations of bringing together some of the greatest minds from prestigious educational institutions across the country. And, in keeping with the scientific theme, the presentations included a plethora of research and complex communication models, which clearly made the case for why communication is essential to the scientific process and how difficult it is to do it effectively.

However, beyond an in-depth look at the role of media (as the primary communicator instead of a communication channel), there was little discussion on strategies or tactics for communicating with targeted audiences. Utilizing the media can prove an effective strategy. Yet, in order to effectively engage publics in the process, direct communication methods should proceed the mass communication methods. This direct communication may include direct mail letters, the formation of a citizens advisory group, building a social media presence or conducting a series of town hall meetings or information sessions complete with objective, third-party experts. The key is taking the time to communicate information to interested parties in a way that they can understand and in a format where they can provide input.

Too often, the scientific community, the scientist himself or herself, or the organization funding the research look to capitalize on a breakthrough and let the science speak for itself. They forget it’s the public who has the voice and whose excitement or fear can either propel or halt scientific and technological advances no matter how small (nanotechnology) or how far reaching (stem cell research) the implications.