by Matt Mattoni, Temple University
No academic field relates to our experience of everyday life as much as psychology: our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and social life are all wrapped into this one subject. It is unsurprising that psychology has become one of the most popular college majors, and that innumerable books, movies, and shows build their plots around psychological concepts. While this public interest in our field is highly valuable, it also comes with side effects. Social media and popular news sites are filled with bogus pop-psychology, such as “3 signs you have ADHD” and “What your favorite color says about you.” Not only do we as psychologists have the ability to combat disinformation and use our science for public benefit, I believe we have a responsibility to do so. After all, most of our research is funded by public taxpayers; they deserve to reap the benefits. Clinical psychologists particularly have potential for large impact, such as educating the public about benefits of sleep and social interactions, demonstrating need for increased resources for mental healthcare, and decreasing stigma around psychopathology. Some of these benefits of science communication may be obvious, some are less so. Below are 6 reasons why, in my opinion, YOU as a clinical psychologist should commit to public science communication and engagement.
- Educate the Public
The most direct goal of science communication is to increase public understanding of psychological knowledge. This includes both providing semantic knowledge, such as the benefits of sleep, exercise, and social interaction, and increasing public psychological literacy. With misinformation littering the internet, exposure to psychological science can improve individual’s ability to critically think about the content they view. These two educational routes have immediate potential for societal benefit. Moreover, they can be achieved with relatively little cost. There are a plethora of barrier-free mediums to reach the public, including social media (Twitter, TikTok), blog posts, podcasts, interviews, and public articles. Though public-facing science communication requires a distinct set of skills from the scientific writing we are trained in, repetition is the best tutor. Fortunately, we have plenty of opportunities to practice science communication, such as explaining our research programs to friends and family outside of science. For the especially committed, workshops through organizations such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAS) and American Psychological Association (APA) can help you build concrete communication skills.
- Influence Policy Change
Science communication can be specifically aimed at stakeholders for science-based policy changes. Potential benefits are clear and impactful. For example, the dissemination of developmental psychology and neuroscience has been critical to ongoing conversations about school start time. Organizations such as the Federation of Associations in Behavioral and Brain Sciences (FABBS) and AAAS focus on this goal and provide opportunities for scientists to get involved in science policy and advocacy.
- Increase Funding
Communication of our work to the public and policy makers is critical for science’s growth, not just public benefit. While many of us believe science to be apolitical, the reality is that our work is directly impacted by funding decisions our government makes, which is driven by politics. Science advocacy highlights science’s past successes and future potentials of improving society, making it a persuasive tool for increasing funding to our fields. Science advocacy has had critical impacts in the past decade, including scientists organizing to lobby Congress to increase the NIH’s budget and defend social science’s inclusion in the NSF’s budget (Baron & Hoeksema, 2021).
- Increase Diversity and Inclusivity
Science is at its best when it emphasizes perspectives from diverse individuals, and the importance of equity and inclusion initiatives is increasingly recognized. As our field becomes increasingly diverse, it is critical to highlight the work by scientists from various backgrounds, such as racial, ethnic, and sexual minorities. Disseminating work by diverse individuals increases public awareness, particularly in children, about the various backgrounds that can lead to a career in science. This representation can have widespread effects; for example, when asked to draw a scientist, less than 1% of children in the 1970s drew a woman. As of 2016, more than one third of children drew a woman scientist. This improvement highlights the importance of representation, and increases the possibility that children from various backgrounds see relatable role models in science, creating a positive feedback loop for increased diversity in science.
I believe it is everyone’s responsibility, particularly those in privileged positions, to highlight diverse scientists and their work. Otherwise, those in disadvantaged positions face further inequitable burdens. As such, science communication efforts should both (A) bolster the work of individuals from various backgrounds and (B) particularly emphasize communication to minoritized communities.
- Improve Science Skills
Disseminating science is a core aspect of our careers; manuscript publications and conference presentations are the currency that our field operates in. One of the most valuable skills is therefore being able to communicate complex science to a broad audience. While this audience does not traditionally include the public sphere, honing skills to effectively communicate improves our ability to clearly think about and explain our own work. If you can communicate your science to your neighbor, surely you can to your next set of reviewers! The next time you publish a manuscript, consider writing a 1-page lay summary to share on Twitter, public newsletters, or through other media.
- Broaden Career Opportunities
Finally, skills in science communication open doors for multiple career opportunities outside of academia. Positions such as science writers, director of science communication for private organizations, and multiple jobs in public-facing science organizations such as FABBS value the ability to concisely and effectively translate complex science. Even for those in academia, demonstrated proficiency in science communication can increase opportunities for paid consultation and lead to networking opportunities that you would otherwise not find.
Moreover, psychologists in senior positions have a unique opportunity to increase the importance of science communication in academia by valuing it in job and award applications. One of the biggest impediments to science communication is that the effort is often undervalued in academic settings, despite its alignment with goals outlined in many mission statements. By rewarding individuals who engage in science communication, we can create a culture more dedicated to public benefit.
Suggested Action Items:
- Write a 1-page lay summary of your next publication to share
- Communicate scientific research through media such as Twitter, TikTok, blog posts, podcasts, interviews, and newsletters.
- Attend science communication workshops through organizations such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAS) and American Psychological Association (APA)
- Highlight work by diverse scientists and communicate with disadvantaged groups
- Reward science communication efforts in various academic applications
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Reference
Baron, J., Hoeksema, M.J. Science Advocacy 101: Realizing the Benefits, Overcoming the Challenges. Behav. Soc. Iss. 30, 121–138 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42822-021-00069-9
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS).