Overview

Science communication is defined as informational exchange with audiences related to STEM that includes learning, conversations, or activities. Inclusive science communication is a global movement that aims to accommodate equity, intersectionality, and inclusion principles in science communication. Even today with much advancement in STEM, certain spaces are often neglected in science communication. This includes but are not limited to indigenous knowledge, ignoring women in the health care dialogue, and belittling cultural context.

In this chapter, we talk about few practical strategies that we can implement to foster inclusion in our own science communication efforts:

Image Source:  Wikimedia Commons

Here are some of the practical strategies that we can implement to foster inclusion in our own science communication efforts:

1.     While communicating, observe which terms individuals use to describe themselves and accommodate them in your own dialogue.

2.     While engaging in a dialogue, use a casual, humorous, or colloquial tone while remaining authentic.

3.     Customize your dialogue specific to the target audience rather than simply reusing what worked in one context in a completely different environment.

4.     Let people talk and engage in active listening to integrate them without patronizing.

5.     While engaging with cross-cultural groups: identify, acknowledge, and distinguish language/historical/social norms. Use culturally relevant expressions/metaphors.

6.     Use approaches to incorporate marginalized voices for example: women or LGBTQ+ in your dialogue.

7.     While performing outreach, know your audience, and make the content relevant to audience interests, experiences, and backgrounds.

8.     To help understand audience’s needs and identify the potential barriers in communication, establish partnerships with other groups already engaging with the target audience.

9.     Use concrete hooks that tie in with already existing interests, ensuring experiences are stimulating, interactive and engaging for the audience.

10.  Reach out to diverse audiences. To build on the audience’s knowledge, create engaging and accessible activities that make connections to everyday life. Use a translator or live captions to overcome the language barrier.

11.  While reaching out to diverse audiences, take advantage of accessibility in social media platforms.

12.  While talking about history, recognize and acknowledge that there are multiple histories,

13.  Present your organization’s work as a collaborative effort instead of showcasing it as an individual’s work.

14.  While engaging with diverse audiences, consider how your language may exclude or oppress those with differing abilities, race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, age, occupation, education, language, religion, or experience level. Also, reconsider specific languages you’re using, and not using, in your communication.

15.  Engage with different ways of knowing and learning. Science is typically considered through a Western or European-centric lens. By integrating different cultural perspectives and frameworks you can offer diverse approaches to learning.

For further reading, refer to Metcalf’s institute inclusive science communication starter kit.

Attribution

Contents in this section are adapted from the Metcalf institute’s inclusive science communication resources.