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Why should microbiologists join the new age of science communication?

Posted on February 8, 2022 by Diana Githwe

Diana is currently a 2^nd year PhD student in the Lowe Lab at Newcastle University working to understand how complex sugar degradation is regulated in bacteria that live in the human gut. As a Policy and Engagement Intern, Diana was tasked with reporting on the substantial response to SARS-CoV-2 from the organisation and its membership. By speaking with the Society’s staff and Council members Diana has created a detailed timeline of all the Society’s activities since the early months of the pandemic. Additionally, she has been involved in co-ordinating the submission of case studies from members detailing their experience responding to SARS-CoV-2, which will be shared on the SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Hub.

In recent years, there has been a shift in the scientific community, particularly in the way that science is being communicated to a diverse audience, thus inviting people into what was once a very exclusive circle. As we move into the age of intensified virtual interaction and consumption of digital information, many industries have leaned into this shift.For scientists, this has included educating the public on pathology, new discoveries and technology developments through digital means. This shift in communication is essential as it speaks to the microbiology community’s commitment to be more inclusive, encouraging a more dynamic process of knowledge exchange – not to mention a criterion for mitigating public health concerns through education. The COVID-19 pandemic has escalated the need for effective science communication – especially through digital avenues due to the lack of in-person interactions – to unravel the confusion and complexity surrounding SARS-CoV-2, its transmission and disease prognosis.

The use of technology, particularly having an online presence on social media platforms such as Twitter, has become increasingly useful in the world of microbiology in the past decade. Dr Beatrix Fahnert stated that over 70% of microbiologists use social media and half of those can enhance their microbiology education by engaging with students on the platforms. It is no surprise that technology enables the creation of visually appealing educational content that reaches a wider audience. A more traditional method of teaching, which involves worksheets and more writing as well as a lack of science equipment and resources in schools, negatively impacts the view and enjoyability of the subject both for teachers and young pupils. A study commissioned by the Wellcome Trust found that 48% of pupils reported liking science ‘a lot’, although the desire to pursue a science career dissipates with only 29% of pupils reporting they would like to have a science-related job later in life. However, the tide may be turning as 51% of members of the UK general public surveyed stated that they ‘felt informed about science’, which is a 6% increase from 2014. Additionally,47% of people (an 8% decrease since 2014) now think that ‘science is too specialised for most to understand’.

Science communication has been crucial for governments, scientific organisations and healthcare systems, with its importance described as a ‘duty of scientists’ by the Royal Society. The problem, however, does not lie with the ability to simply share scientific information – as all scientists do this regularly regardless of the discipline – but with the ability to be effective with the message being communicated. Learning how to extract jargon and simplify complex information without losing the critical message is a skill that all in the community should prioritise to learn. Complexity raises a barrier to access, leading to the public perception shared earlier that science is too specialised. Public health concerns and developments affect the whole nation and if the general public are to be influenced to change the direction of these concerns and developments, scientists must present a community that looks and speaks like them.

Like many endemics and pandemics before, we have required a remarkable amount of public engagement with microbiology to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Within the arsenal of countermeasures used by governments to keep the coronavirus at bay, the majority demand a change in human behaviour, which can only be effective if the population clearly understands the benefit of following guidance. It was therefore imperative and almost instinctive for microbiologists to use their position and understanding of the initial results to seek co-operation from the public. A great deal of microbiologists whose area of expertise did not lie in virology or specifically coronaviruses echo that they ‘had to do something to help’, thus turned to communicating science to non-scientific audiences. Many of the Microbiology Society members whose research had halted due to national lockdowns pivoted their research to study SARS-CoV-2 and subsequently shared their findings publicly, whilst others liaised directly with journalists, media outlets and TV broadcasters. Even scientists who were not microbiologists by profession chose to approach their duty to science communication by educating others in engaging ways. For example, Francesca Lewns, a third year PhD student at the University of Birmingham, created an infographic debunking common SARS-CoV-2 vaccine rumours, which was viewed by over 300K people on Instagram and shared publicly by news channels. Dr Raven Baxter (Raven the Science Maven), a molecular biologist and science educator, is recognised widely for her talent in combining science and pop culture. Raven remixed a famous song which contained important COVID-19 guidance on hygiene practices and social distancing. It is clear that digital content produced and published by scientists themselves has a direct impact on the public, as 82% of adults living in the UK are interested in hearing directly from scientists – a 19% increase from 2015. Showcasing microbiology on public platforms serves to increase transparency and therefore trust between the public and scientists.

For science communication to thrive, we must recognise that various obstacles may be faced when publicly sharing information online. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated extreme public scrutiny of microbiology in tandem with the circulation of misinformation intended to scaremonger individuals. New ways of communicating science, such as blogs, podcasts, social media and outreach projects, should be recognised as great tools for public engagement and may be a more appropriate medium than traditional scientific papers to combat misinformation. Additionally, formal training on how to become an effective communicator of microbiology should be accessible to all and embedded along one’s career journey, to combat the threats to digital public education. Training and rewarding those who undertake digital science communication will inevitably increase the desire for microbiologists to engage in science communication, thus accelerating the public’s understanding and appreciation for microbiology. We must empower the nation to join us in preventing the emergence of infectious diseases, as this could greatly influence the public health landscape.