What Science Communication Means to Me

By Tahlia, B Sci (Hons), University of Melbourne

Science communication – it sounds pretty simple, doesn’t it?  You take a bit of science and retell the story so people understand it. Nothing much to it, right?  Wrong.  I think there is so much more to science communication than that.

I have a passion for science.  I really marvel at the wonders that are uncovered by research: both the interesting findings and the brains that were/are able to work it out.  I am still amazed at the beauty of science: the structure of DNA, the complexities of the very cells we are made of, the way everything fits together somehow.

I believe that everyone should be able to understand these fantastic things and share in that wonder.  Science doesn’t have to be too hard to understand, it just needs to be explained properly.

I’m also passionate about education and think that science communication is just another part of education – helping people understand things that they might have seen as beyond their comprehension.

There’s no doubt about it, research is reported in a very specific way.  It takes some getting used to.  It’s complicated and wordy.  For someone not in the scientific field, it can feel a little out of reach.  I think that it should be a non-negotiable thing that all research is communicated in a form that can be understood by everyone.  After all, research is ultimately for the benefit of everyone, so everyone should be able to access what it uncovers.

That’s where I want to be: bridging the gap between science and understanding.  That is what science communication is all about to me.  It is working towards facilitating discussions around scientific topics, but at an accessible level for everyone.

I believe that by effectively communicating science, so many more possibilities could be opened up. People who may be directly impacted by research findings should be able to access this information in an easy to understand format.  I also believe that if researchers and those affected by the research are engaged in discussion, more progress could be made in finding both basic fundamental information and translational results.  This could mean better results sooner and that’s a win-win for all those involved.  I want to be a part of a research community where the win-win is a reality.

That’s what science communication and MStranslate are to me.  I want to be a part of the movement that helps bridge the gap.