Big Bang

For years, Els Smeyers shaped how science was shared and celebrated at Hasselt University. An engineer by training, she had an intuitive gift for connection, bringing people, ideas, and disciplines together with ease. 

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?