Will you please just listen to me? If you are a scientist, or a fan of science, have you ever wondered why your fact-based explanation of ground-breaking scientific research falls flat with family, friends, and the general public? Do you want your research to matter to society and not simply be confined to arcane discussion in academic circles? Social science communicator Anne Helen Toomey argues that science today faces a public-relations crisis due to its historic emphasis on "trickle-down research," and she calls for a whole-scale change in how scientists engage with the world. This book is a guide for the scientific community and its allies to build public trust in science-and scientists-again.
In this accessible volume, Toomey unpacks why "facts" mean different things to different people and how science-based attitudes and behaviors spread. Using humor, stories, and down-to-earth examples from her own science journey, she explains why seemingly straightforward evidence can sometimes feel irrelevant, or even threatening, to a skeptical public. This practical, how-to guide will help scientists think more carefully about the choices they make even before collecting data. It explores how researchers and others who work with science can address public distrust, communicate about uncertainty, and engage with policymakers for real-world impact.
Science with Impact argues that science can-and should-make a meaningful difference in society. It offers hope and guidance to those of us who wish to take the steps to make it so.
"With humility, a little humor, and a sage voice, Science with Impact serves as a call to action for scientists to reach beyond the academic arena and communicate their research in a way that makes a difference." ""Scientists, academic administrators, funders of research, and policy makers would all benefit from reading Science with Impact."" ""[Toomey] provides well-researched, extensive footnotes and references for each chapter, and additional resources on the publisher's website. An engaging read for science students or scientists who need help thinking critically about how their work will impact others, or anyone looking for inspiration on how scientific communication could better serve society.""
