Designing Effective Science Communication from Coursera

Although many would prefer to leave science in the past and no longer engage with it once completing compulsory science classes in school, the reality is that engaging with science is an integral part of our daily lives. Moreover, for the safety and wellness of human society, it is necessary to engage with scientific information. We are faced with the necessity of examining scientific evidence on topics ranging from conservation to public health and make decisions that impact not only our families but those around us. However, in spite of decades of science education reform and dedicated efforts to improving science literacy, many members of the general public lack the confidence, skills, or interest in engaging with scientific issues, instead choosing to align their scientific decisions with non-scientific stakeholders, such as political or pop culture figures. These problems are ongoing and destructive. How do we communicate science more effectively with the general public? With other scientists?

This course is designed for scientists, science educators, and science communicators who are interested in re-thinking how we communicate science to diverse audiences, particularly to the general public. Topics include evidence-based considerations of human learning as well as effective communication through a variety of modalities, including oral presentations, written forms of communication, technology, and artistic media. The objective of this course is to equip learners with the skills needed to design and implement effective methods of science communication. Learners will be able to identify key principles of human learning that undergird science communication, describe pitfalls in “popular” avenues for science outreach, and apply best practices to science communication in a variety of media.

What's inside

Syllabus

Connecting the Science of Learning to Science Communication

In this module, you will learn the basics of human learning, including an overview of the cognitive processes that underlie learning (e.g. perception, attention, motivation, memory), major educational psychology theories (e.g socioculturalism, constructivism, behaviorism) and aspect of human cognition that can lead to difficulties with outreach (e.g. bias, motivated reasoning, epistemic cognition). We will also discuss use of evidence in designing outreach, how to evaluate types of evidence, and principles behind effective design of outreach.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Offers opportunities to practice public speaking and media interviews, which is essential for effective science communication

Covers the use of different modalities for science communication, including oral presentations, written forms, technology, and artistic media

Addresses challenges in communicating science to the general public, such as bias, motivated reasoning, and epistemic cognition

Provides strategies and techniques for designing and implementing effective methods of science communication

Emphasizes the importance of evidence-based approaches in science communication, which aligns with best practices

Taught by Melanie Peffer, a recognized expert in science communication, which adds credibility to the course content

Reviews summary

Mastering science communication for diverse audiences

According to learners, this course offers a largely positive and evidence-based approach to science communication, highly recommended for scientists, educators, and communicators. Students particularly value the in-depth insights into human learning principles and the variety of communication modalities, including oral presentations, written forms, and surprisingly, artistic media. While the course provides a solid framework and engaging video lectures, some older reviews noted slightly dated technology examples. A few students also wished for more interactive assignments and instructor feedback, as well as more active forum discussions to enhance peer learning.

Some technology examples were initially dated, but recent fixes improved the experience.

"My only minor gripe is that some of the technology examples felt a little dated, but the core principles are still very relevant."

"Some minor technical glitches with videos initially, but these seem to have been fixed recently."

"The course has clearly seen improvements, addressing earlier concerns about outdated content."

Equips learners with practical strategies applicable to real-world science communication.

"It really opened my eyes to the pitfalls of traditional outreach and provided actionable strategies."

"The Written Communication module was surprisingly practical, going beyond just grammar."

"I gained practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."

Explores effective communication across oral, written, technology, and artistic forms.

"The variety of communication modalities covered, including art, was refreshing."

"The Artistic Forms of Communication module was a pleasant surprise! It showed how to make science relatable in creative ways."

"This course helped me rethink my approach to public speaking about my research. The module on Oral Presentation was particularly strong."

Provides a strong foundation in the science of human learning applied to communication.

"The module on Connecting the Science of Learning to Communication was a game-changer."

"I especially appreciated the evidence-based approach and the focus on human learning principles."

"It provides a solid framework for evidence-based communication, incredibly relevant for today's world."

Best suited for beginners or those new to formal science communication strategies.

"I found the content a bit too theoretical and less practical than I hoped."

"As an experienced communicator, I was looking for more advanced strategies, but this felt very basic. Better for beginners maybe."

"It's a great intro for scientists new to comms."

Some learners desired more interactive assignments and forum discussions.

"I wished for more peer interaction or instructor feedback on my communication drafts."

"The lack of active forum discussions made it feel a bit isolated."

"I learn best when I can interact with peers and instructors, and this felt a bit self-paced."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Designing Effective Science Communication with these activities:

Review cognitive processes

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Refamiliarize yourself with terms and key concepts related to human learning by reading and reviewing course materials.

Browse courses on Human Learning

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Review chapters on cognitive processes from an introductory psychology textbook.
Compile a list of key terms and concepts.
Create a concept map linking major ideas and examples.

Review Prior Science Classes

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Refresh your memory on basic scientific concepts and approaches to prepare for this course.

Browse courses on Scientific Reasoning

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Review key concepts from previous science courses, such as physics, biology or chemistry
Take practice quizzes or review old assignments to test your understanding

Review Cognitive Processes

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Revisiting the basics of human learning will help learners gain a deeper understanding of cognitive processes, which is a core concept in science communication.

Browse courses on Learning Theory

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Review the different stages of memory
Summarize theories of motivation
Describe the impact of biases on learning

14 other activities

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Volunteer at a science museum or outreach event

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Gain practical experience in communicating science to diverse audiences by volunteering your time at a science museum or outreach event.

Browse courses on Science Outreach

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Identify and contact science museums or organizations that host outreach events.
Inquire about volunteer opportunities and apply.
Participate in volunteer training and orientation.

Join a study group to discuss science communication topics

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Engage in peer discussions to share insights, ask questions, and learn from others interested in science communication.

Browse courses on Science Communication

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Find a study group or create your own
Meet regularly to discuss science communication topics
Share your own knowledge and experience
Listen to and learn from others

Practice Identifying Scientific Sources

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Develop your ability to distinguish between credible and non-credible scientific sources.

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Find examples of different types of scientific sources (e.g., journal articles, news articles, blog posts)
Analyze each source and identify its key characteristics (e.g., authorship, publication date, methodology)
Evaluate the credibility of each source based on its characteristics

Follow online tutorials on effective science communication

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Engage with tutorials to refine your understanding of best practices in science communication.

Browse courses on Science Communication

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Identify a specific area of science communication that you want to improve in
Search for online tutorials that cover that topic
Follow the tutorials and complete the exercises
Reflect on what you have learned and how you can apply it to your own science communication

Explore effective presentation techniques

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Enhance your presentation skills by watching and learning from experienced professionals.

Browse courses on Effective Presentations

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Identify and watch presentation videos online (e.g., TED Talks).
Take notes on the speaker's techniques and strategies.
Practice implementing these techniques in your own presentations.

Practice writing scientific abstracts

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Improve your ability to write clear and concise scientific abstracts.

Browse courses on Scientific Writing

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Review examples of well-written scientific abstracts.
Identify the key elements of an abstract.
Practice writing abstracts for hypothetical research projects.

Practice Presenting to Different Audiences

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Engage in regular practice to improve your ability to tailor presentations to different audiences, a crucial skill for effective science communication.

Browse courses on Oral Communication

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Prepare a presentation on a scientific topic
Present to a group of peers
Get feedback and make adjustments

Solve Science Communication Problems

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Practice solving problems related to science communication to improve your skills in conveying scientific information effectively.

Browse courses on Science Communication

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Identify common challenges in science communication.
Develop strategies for overcoming these challenges.
Practice applying these strategies in different scenarios.

Design an infographic that explains a scientific concept

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Create a visual representation of a scientific concept to practice effectively communicating science through artistic media.

Browse courses on Science Communication

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Choose a scientific concept to focus on
Research the concept thoroughly
Identify the key points that you want to communicate
Design the infographic using visual elements such as images, charts, and graphs
Write clear and concise text to explain the concept

Develop a Science Outreach Blog

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Creating a blog provides a platform to practice writing for a general audience and to share your passion for science with others.

Browse courses on Science Outreach

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Choose a specific science topic to focus on
Write regular blog posts that explain complex scientific concepts in an engaging and accessible way
Promote your blog on social media

Write a Science Blog Post

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Apply your understanding of science communication by creating a blog post that explains a scientific concept to a non-scientific audience.

Browse courses on Science Communication

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Choose a scientific concept that you find interesting and accessible to the public
Research the topic and gather reliable sources to support your explanation
Write a clear and engaging blog post that presents the concept in a way that is easy to understand

Develop a science communication plan for a specific audience

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Apply your knowledge of science communication to create a comprehensive plan for effectively reaching a specific audience.

Browse courses on Science Communication

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Identify the target audience for your science communication
Research the target audience to understand their needs and interests
Develop a clear and concise message that you want to communicate
Choose the most appropriate communication channels to reach the target audience
Create a plan for evaluating the effectiveness of your science communication

Develop a science outreach plan

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Apply your understanding of science communication principles by creating a plan to engage a specific audience with a scientific topic.

Browse courses on Science Outreach

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Identify a target audience and their interests.
Research effective outreach strategies for that audience.
Develop a plan that includes specific goals, methods, and evaluation metrics.

Develop a science-based lesson plan

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Apply your understanding of human learning and science communication to create a lesson plan that effectively teaches a scientific concept.

Browse courses on Science Education

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Identify the target audience and learning objectives.
Research and select appropriate teaching methods.
Develop a lesson plan that includes engaging activities and assessments.

Career center

Learners who complete Designing Effective Science Communication will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Science Communicator

Science Communicators use a variety of media, including oral presentations, written articles, and social media, to share scientific information with the public. This course will help you develop the skills to communicate science in a clear and concise way, and to engage with audiences from all backgrounds.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Communicator

Science Educator

Science Educators teach science to students of all ages, from elementary school to college. This course will give you the foundation to develop curricula and lesson plans that are based on the latest research on how people learn science. You will also learn how to assess student learning and to create a positive and supportive learning environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Educator

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create instruction manuals, technical reports, and other documents that explain complex technical information to users. This course can help you develop the skills to write clear and concise technical documentation that is easy to understand and use.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Science Librarian

Science Librarians help researchers and students find and access scientific information. This course can help you develop the skills to organize and manage scientific information.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Librarian

Science Writer

Science Writers communicate complex scientific and technical information to non-scientific audiences. This course can help you develop the skills to write engaging and informative articles, blog posts, and other forms of written communication that will help people understand and appreciate science.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Writer

Science Journalist

Science Journalists report on scientific research and discoveries for the general public. This course will help you develop the skills to write engaging and accurate articles, blog posts, and other forms of written communication that will help people understand and appreciate science.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Journalist

Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers create and develop educational materials and programs. This course can help you develop the skills to design and develop effective science learning experiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Science Policy Analyst

Science Policy Analysts use their understanding of science and policy to advise policymakers on the potential impacts of scientific research. This course will help you develop the skills to analyze scientific information, to communicate scientific findings to policymakers, and to advocate for evidence-based policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Policy Analyst

Museum Educator

Museum Educators develop and deliver educational programs and exhibits that teach visitors about science and natural history. This course will help you develop the skills to create engaging and informative exhibits, and to communicate science in a way that is accessible to all.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum Educator

Education Researcher

Education Researchers study how people learn and how to improve teaching and learning. This course may be helpful for those interested in conducting research on science education.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Researcher

Curator

Curators oversee the collections of museums and other cultural institutions. This course may be helpful for those interested in working in a science museum.

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Archivist

Archivists preserve and manage historical documents and artifacts. This course may be helpful for those interested in working in a science museum or library.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archivist

Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists manage the public image of organizations and individuals. This course may be helpful for those interested in working in science communications or public relations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

Event Planner

Event Planners organize and manage events, such as conferences and workshops. This course may be helpful for those interested in planning science conferences or other events.

See salaries and explore the career path for Event Planner

Grant Writer

Grant Writers write proposals to secure funding for research and other projects. This course may be helpful for those interested in working in a science research institution.

See salaries and explore the career path for Grant Writer