Are you sure your science communication actually is science communication?

“Hey Sam, what should we do about X?”

It’s a question my clients (and those who aren’t) are asking me more and more.

In case you aren’t aware, X (or Twitter, as some prefer to call it still) has undergone significant changes since it was purchased by Elon Musk in 2022. Some have already found these changes unpalatable and have chosen to quit X. Others are seriously considering whether it is worth sticking around.

This is a big question, and the decision about whether to stay or go will depend on a variety of factors: your goals, your audience, and your values, to name just a few.

Are you familiar with Pint of Science? Science Cafe? Science on Tap?

Whatever you call them, the idea is simple - bring together a group of people in a pub, bar, cafe, or other location to hear about research from researchers while enjoying their favourite beverage. If research from Margaux Barrett and fellow researchers at Villanova University in the USA is anything to go by, event attendees are learning quite a bit.

If only person X / government body X / company X / community X had all the scientific information...then they would make good decisions...right? As Dr Naomi Oreskes explains, life doesn’t work that way.

Metaphor-based messaging helps people to recall information and take steps towards sustainability.

In The Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center's new report “Towards an Equitable Approach to Marine Plastics Pollution,” the authors make a case for using the term "plastic pollution" instead of "plastic litter."

You really should have an idea of what your content strategy budget is. After all, you might have the most amazing strategy lined up, but if you don’t have the money to back it up, it’s going to fall over pretty quickly. A budget helps you figure out exactly how you are going to deliver your communication objectives (you do have objectives…right?).

Whether you’re thinking about communications and outreach for an upcoming campaign or, more generally, for your organisation, group, or business, you need a strategy to ensure your efforts are as effective as possible. Or rather, you need two strategies; a communications strategy and a content strategy

Here are seven examples of outlets you could use to connect, engage, and expand your audience with written content.