Gina Errico

In late March, I had the opportunity to attend ScienceTalk 2022. I was able to learn more about effective science communication strategies and network with incredible people who are working on amazing projects. Here’s some key takeaways I have from the event:

Know your audience: There is no ‘public’. If you want to effectively communicate, it is best to identify the specific group you want to communicate with and find out how they will best receive the information. If you are not well known in the area, find a community leader or someone they trust, to help you reach them. Have empathy with the group you are working with, even though you think you may know what is best, that doesn’t mean they will feel the same—acknowledge that.

Have specific goals for your audience (i.e. vote, lifestyle change, attending an event) and make clear objectives (i.e. I want people to understand this concept better or know about this thing). Then you can use tactics to reach your goals (i.e. social media, community meetings, videos, etc.).

Start small: You don’t have go viral or publish a book to start making a difference. Simple things, like sharing content with correct information on social media or starting a blog (like this one). One of the most difficult and scary parts of getting into any field is just starting the process. By breaking down your larger goal into smaller pieces, you can make the process more attainable and take it one step at a time.

Establish your identity as an effective communicator and stick with it: (from Marley Parker’s short talk) Be confident in your ability to communicate. Take the opportunity to learn from those around you but always stick to the ideas you believe in. Know your worth as a communicator and the importance of the work that you are doing.

As I embark on my career as a science communicator, this conference really helped put my goals into perspective. For those who are also figuring out their career path, I highly recommended taking opportunities such as this one, to learn from professionals in the field you aspire to be in. This can be a great way to learn about what your potential future career make look like and to make connections with people who are successful in the field.

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