One of the most enjoyable sessions I attended at BPS2026 was the President's Symposium on February 22nd. I have always been captivated by well-constructed science stories, and I needed no convincing on the importance of science communication. Each time a family member or a non-scientist friend asks about my work, I find myself stumped trying to explain the relevance of what I do. My grandma doesn't care about my biomolecule of interest as much as I do, but can I still convince her that my work is important? (I mean, very important).
None of us needs to be reminded that we have been navigating some unique challenges of late. Despite everything, we have been putting our heads down and quietly fulfilling our commitment to science, and this in itself is an act of resilience, as Dr. Jeremy Berg aptly said in his talk. While that is definitely the first (and essential) step forward, we are also implicitly tasked with conveying the importance of the scientific process.
While there has been a growing appreciation for science communication in recent times, we often tend to believe that the public sees issues the same way we do, as pointed out by Dr. Holden Thorp. And often, this divide in perception turns into a depletion of trust. To quote David Horsager, "Communication is never the core issue, trust is." Simply put, if you don't trust me as a scientist, no amount of perfect communication will convince you that my science is valid.
So, how do we build trust through science communication? Dr. Sean Decatur has three strategies.
- Show science as a process that connects evidence to conclusions. For example, instead of a static exhibit at a museum, showing behind-the-scenes work of the scientists studying the specimen in real time can help the visitors understand the process.
- Invite close observations and questions. We are no strangers to how projects begin in our labs - it starts with curiosity and intrigue over an observation, which then turns into inquiry. It is the same strategy outside our lab as well.
- Meet the audience where they are. We all do this even with other scientists outside our field. If I come to your poster and tell you I don't know what an SMC motor protein is, you will start your presentation by explaining what it is. But are you prepared to meet me where I am if I were to tell you I don't know what a protein is?
This is where I want to remind you that you are not just a scientist, you are also a storyteller. We were all once kids, mesmerized by stories. Now we look for the same kind of stories but in science journals and conferences. Dr. Theanne Griffith reminded us in her talk how we are all wired for stories (Book recommendation: Wired for Story, by Lisa Cron). We need stories to make sense of the world. Successful storytelling triggers neural coupling - where the speaker and the listener share patterns of brain activity. But to establish this connection, Dr. Griffith says, ask these three questions:
- What do they know?
- What do you want them to know?
- What do they care about knowing?
This is essentially how to meet your audience where they are. And I want to add that if there is a gap between what your audience cares about and what you want them to know, it is your story's responsibility to build that bridge.
One simple yet effective way to weave your science story, according to Dr. Daniel Cohen, is to find the oldest papers in your field. Then track the evolution of your field over the years to build a meaningful story. Most of us have been using this method while writing our review articles and journal article introductions. Another way to practice effective storytelling in science is to use tools such as xkcd.com/simplewriter/ to simplify your language.
In Dr. Cohen's powerful words, "We are all ambassadors from the country of science. Society tolerates, funds, and enables much of our work. Therefore, we have some obligation (and self-interest) to give back." We have all come together here at BPS2026 in solidarity for our shared mission to tell each other stories. Stories born out of our curiosities, stories based on scientific evidence, and stories committed to finding the hidden truths of our universe.
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Speakers of the President's Symposium
Jeremy M. Berg, University of Pittsburgh, USA
Daniel Cohen, Princeton University, USA
Sean Decatur, American Museum of Natural History, USA
Holden Thorp, George Washington University, USA
Theanne Griffith, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, USA
Chair
Lynmarie K. Thompson, University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA