Big Bang

In an age where science talk competes more and more with misinformation for public trust, the ethical compass guiding science communication has never been more critical. Insights from three influential books—Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell, Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari, and Influence by Robert Cialdini—can shed some light on how we communicate science, and more importantly, how we ought to or ought not to.

On Wednesday November 20th, 2024, Els left home early in the morning, as she always did. She got on her bike, ready for another busy but exciting day at Hasselt University. The preparations for Dag van de Wetenschap were in full swing. A yearly highlight on the calendar, she had poured herself into the preparations for weeks.

Did you notice how few female scientists were quoted as experts in the media during the pandemic? As we were analyzing our data for the Belgian Pandemic Intelligence Network, we found that, on average, only 20% of experts mentioned in news about the COVID-19 pandemic were women, when they represent 34% of researchers in Belgium according to the OECD.

When Elisabeth Stes stepped away from the lab, she did not walk away from science. A trained biotechnologist with a PhD, she carried her research mindset with her and built a new career in science communication, first at a public research institute, and now at a leading pharmaceutical company. 

How can we balance the exposure of misconduct with the preservation of public trust? It’s not a new question, but it’s one I’ve been reflecting on more intensely in recent months as a controversy erupted in a field I’ve followed for years: Alzheimer’s research. The spark was Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’s, a book published earlier this year by investigative journalist Charles Piller.

Some believe the Earth is flat. Others claim climate change is not real. A retracted study linking vaccines to autism continues to influence anti-vaccine movements. During the COVID-19 pandemic, conspiracy theories and false cures spread rapidly. And in one famous case, fabricated results in stem cell research earned global praise before being exposed.

Tom Janssen started Creators for Climate to bridge the gap between scientific research and public understanding. He is doing so by creating engaging, factual content that inspires action. How does he navigate the ethical aspects of communicating about climate change/climate science?

Personal reflections on ethical scicomm Finding a job as a science communicator isn’t always easy, so landing one with a steady paycheck...

What happens when facts alone no longer convince? Philosopher Johan Braeckman has spent decades studying how beliefs are formed, how misinformation spreads, and how we might address it.

A warning against scientism and a proposal for science communication focused more on scientific process(es) than scientific facts

Strategic lessons on science communication from research on citizen science partnerships

Marie-Anne Vanderhasselt talks about how Kalm Waes has been a source of inspiration for both her research and her science communication.

Brine oscillates between fiction and non-fiction. An atypical novel, an atypical way of communicating science

At the start of her academic journey, Swillens never imagined that helping researchers present their science would one day shape her career.

Angelique Van Ombergen tells us why she thinks it is very important to stay true to yourself when communicating science

Idoya Lahortiga and Luk Cox met as postdocs working in the same lab at the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology in Belgium. Both took...

Kim Calders and his team at Ghent University study forest dynamics. They do so by making 3D scans of trees across the globe.

Stephanie Dehennin describes herself on X as ‘Kids & Science illustrator - Repped by MB Artists NYC - Armchair detective -...

An interview with NEUROART founder Bethan Burnside on how to use art to spark dialogues on neurodiversity and science.

Ingrid van Marion talked to Karine Van Doninck and Katrien Kolenberg about how they connect science and art.