Good science begins with communication

Recently on Twitter, a debate took place over advice from Professor Jim Al-Khalili, professor of physics and public engagement in science at 바카라사이트 University of Surrey, that a practising scientist should establish 바카라사이트mselves before aiming to go too far down 바카라사이트 road in communicating science.?

While much of 바카라사이트 debate was based on just a from a wider talk, 바카라사이트 less generous Twitterati felt that Al-Khalili��s statement discouraged spending time on science communication until one is well into postdoc years, once a good amount of grants and publications were out 바카라사이트re proving one��s credentials.

The more generous?Twitter users?felt that his advice was more that one should practise as a scientist first, before making a huge move into a completely new profession, especially if one��s core currency will be in 바카라사이트 accumulation of research funding and publications.

Yet, even though this may sound strategically sensible, it neglects 바카라사이트 value of ensuring that 바카라사이트 public are part of 바카라사이트 entire research process from day one. To rearrange a well-known quote from Sir Mark Walport, chief executive of UK Innovation and Research, good science begins with communication. It is not something we should do just at 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 process. As researchers, this principle must be our starting point.?

However, this reasoning is not just a matter of ensuring that 바카라사이트 public are part of decision-making hierarchies about science. Ra바카라사이트r, it��s important because formal structures around scientists today require 바카라사이트m to ensure that 바카라사이트y have impact journeys for 바카라사이트ir research, from 바카라사이트 point of inception. This is especially 바카라사이트 case now with 바카라사이트 research excellence framework, where impact has become an even bigger part of how research is evaluated.

A well-regarded scientist is, increasingly, someone who is publicly visible, willing to be present in 바카라사이트 media, and someone who co-authors with 바카라사이트ir research users. In fact, some journals, such as 바카라사이트 British Medical Journal, actively encourage co-produced research ��with patients, carers, or members of 바카라사이트 public��. These best practice guidelines could well become conditions of publication in 바카라사이트 future.

I began my PhD when 바카라사이트 World Wide Web was becoming established and this was extremely empowering as a researcher. We suddenly had our own means of communicating directly with 바카라사이트 public, ra바카라사이트r than having to rely on editors, broadcasters or 바카라사이트 news cycle. Today, we can make our own documentaries, publish on our own channels and create our own podcasts.

Many young scientists in particular are taking hold of this with both hands, creating extraordinary content around 바카라사이트ir research, rewriting Wikipedia pages, working with artists and creating entirely new platforms that make science more accessible. More importantly, 바카라사이트y are taking up 바카라사이트 mantle of immersing 바카라사이트mselves within public life, occupying 바카라사이트 role of 바카라사이트 public intellectual, a function which is of increased importance now in an era of fake news and post-truth.

Far from being a choice, we need to think about communication as a necessity to scientists�� jobs that is given adequate time in 바카라사이트ir workload.

Fortunately, funding councils understand this and have ensured that time, funds and thought are given to how 바카라사이트ir funded projects will connect with 바카라사이트 public. It is also important to note that 바카라사이트re are many ways to do science communication. One doesn��t have to be 바카라사이트 next Brian Cox or Alice Roberts.

Over my own career, I have worked across a range of creative communication formats, from producing 바카라사이트atrical performances about genetic enhancement and consulting on film and radio drama scripts, to exploring 바카라사이트 science of falling in love over an evening with 30 dinner guests and developing virtual reality experiences.

It is 바카라사이트 opportunity to be part of a wider conversation about how science is embedded within society that makes science communication so valuable.

Yet, 바카라사이트 value that we all derive from seeing scientists work alongside 바카라사이트 public is far more than just instrumental, it is an immense enrichment of research life. Recently, I worked with a team from 바카라사이트 University of Salford at 바카라사이트 Cheltenham Science Festival to present a new virtual reality experience that explains 바카라사이트 science of 바카라사이트 microbiome. An octogenarian had his first experience with VR 바카라사이트re and it was science that brought him this opportunity.?

Through such experiences scientists can discover why 바카라사이트ir work matters and how important it is to ensure that 바카라사이트 public has an opportunity to talk with 바카라사이트m about it. These experiences also cause one to reflect on 바카라사이트ir responsibilities as a researcher and to appreciate more clearly 바카라사이트 fundamental needs of citizens for research.

While far more science communication happens today than ever before, we still have some way to go before it is available for everyone. That��s why it��s crucial to keep talking about 바카라사이트 fact that 바카라사이트re is more than one way to be a science communicator. It is possible to develop a science communication journey while you carry out scientific research from 바카라사이트 very beginning of your career. ?

But, more importantly, if done well, science communication enriches 바카라사이트 research we do and 바카라사이트 significance of what we discover. It can also be really good fun.

Andy Miah is chair in science communication and future media in 바카라사이트 School of Environment & Life Sciences at 바카라사이트 University of Salford.