Science communication is a critical part of being a scientist. The ability to explain our research in a simple, easy-to-comprehend manner allows us to share our work with the general public. Telling others scientists about your discoveries is all well and good, but ultimately our work should be shared with the wider world. In the past year, I have started doing more science communication. Most of this has been done on Twitter, but I have also had the privilege to take part in some other ventures.
Back at the end of February, I was lucky enough to speak with Ellen Weatherford of Just the Zoo of Us, everyone’s favourite animal review podcast, about my work with archerfish. It was my first podcast appearance, and I really hope it won’t be the last. Being able to talk about my research topic and the fish I have come to love since starting my PhD was a perfect way to share my knowledge with the rest of the world. I’ll put a link to Spotify at the bottom of this post, if you want to listen.
I’ve also been lucky enough to take part in the 15th and last iteration of FameLab, an international science communication competition. Every contestant has three minutes to explain any scientific topic. I made it through the St Andrews heat by explaining how archerfish eyes are far more complex than our own, and through the Scottish Finals by discussing how archerfish are able to make complex decisions with only six neurons. I’m incredibly excited to take part in the FameLab Masterclass next week in preparation for the British Finals on the 9th of June.
Science communication is incredibly important. The more scientists we can persuade to translate their sometimes complicated-sounding research into a format accessible by those outside of academia and industry, the better the world will be for it. The pandemic has shown us just how important clear communication is, especially on subjects like health and medicine. However, that doesn’t mean ecological topics, like fish intelligence, should be left out of science communication. Policies on animal welfare, conservation, and climate change can all be affected if we (fail to) communicate our research to the general public.
Here May Be Dragons 