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. 2020 Jan 21;117(3):1274-1276.
doi: 10.1073/pnas.1916740117. Epub 2020 Jan 7.

Scientists' incentives and attitudes toward public communication

Kathleen M Rose  1 , Ezra M Markowitz  2 , Dominique Brossard  3   4
Affiliations

Scientists' incentives and attitudes toward public communication

Kathleen M Rose et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. .

Abstract

In an era of large-scale science-related challenges and rapid advancements in groundbreaking science with major societal implications, communicating about science is critical. The profile of science communication has increased over the last few decades, with multiple sectors calling for such activities. As scientists respond to calls for public-facing communication, we need to evaluate where the scientific community stands. We conducted a unique census of science faculty at land-grant universities across the United States intended to spur the next generation of science communicators and research. Despite scientists' strong approval of science communication efforts, potential areas of tension, attributable to lack of institutional support and confidence in communication skills, constrain these efforts.

Keywords: engagement with science; public universities; science communication.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interest.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Perceived importance of public engagement. (A) Percentage of scientists rating public engagement as highly important (“very” or “extremely”) to the university stakeholders. (B) Ordinary least-squares regression predicting perceived importance of engagement. Compared to their colleagues, younger career scientists were more likely to rate engagement as more important for themselves, their chairs, and their colleagues. (Importance measured on 5-point scale: 1, “not at all”; 2, “slightly”; 3, “moderately”; 4, “very”; 5, “extremely.”)
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Objectives of public engagement. (A) Percentage of scientists agreeing (“agree” or “strongly agree”) with the objectives of public engagement. (B) Ordinary least-squares regression predicting scientists’ agreement with public engagement objectives. Younger career scientists saw engagement as getting people excited about science rather than persuading, compared to their colleagues. Female scientists were consistently more supportive of each objective than their male colleagues, except for persuasion. (Agreement measured on 5-point scale: 1, “strongly disagree”; 2, “disagree”; 3, “neither disagree nor agree”; 4, “agree”; 5, “strongly agree.”)
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