Mitchell Riel

Science Communication & The Public

What question or problem did you examine, and why?

The problem I examined was the observable disconnect between scientists, science communicators, the general public, and their respective understandings of scientific events. Currently, the general public may find themselves confused, disinterested, or not trusting scientific data that is provided to them. As a result of this, we may have issues, like global warming, which a vast majority of experts agree is in fact human accelerated, shift meaning or interpretation when it comes to the understanding of the general public. Because of this, we encounter a scenario in which we have scientists and science communicators giving meaning and information on a topic that is often misconstrued or held by the general public.

I chose this issue to analyze due to the exigence of the issue itself. Seeing as environmental policy is a hotly contested topic in the current political and societal sphere, examining why (seemingly) unanimously believed information amongst experts is often not believed or misunderstood by the public is a problem that I found to be time sensitive and of utmost importance for the sake of not only science, but our planet as well.

What excited you most about your research?

One of the most interesting and exciting elements of researching this issue was how prominent examples of this phenomenon happen. While I initially examined this issue with a wide lense, examining global warming, I soon was able to find a myriad of examples that related directly to life here in the Southeastern Massachusetts area. This added element of relevance based upon location is something that I found extremely exciting, as it not only allowed me to draw personal connections to this issue, additionally, it mirrors a situation that explains how a member of the general public could get more interested in an issue, once they discover that the given could have a direct impact on them. Seeing this phenomenon play out within myself allowed me to truly understand one strategy in which we, as science communicators, could make scientific information more pressing and relevant to a wider audience.

How does this research reinforce or change your work as a professional?

Engaging in this research further reinforces my work as a professional, as it made me want to revamp or restructure the ways that we communicate scientific data and information. Essentially, the flaws that I observed within the current methods of science communication heightened my interest in the subject, as I soon developed my own strategies and methods that would work better in their place. Additionally, observing the political and societal landscape surrounding science over the past few years has made me realize just how badly the current science communication system needs an overhaul. Both of these elements worked in tandem in order for me to develop a passion for science communication and the improvement of the field going forward.