Sharing science through story: Fergus McAuliffe at TEDxDublin

Summary

This video explores the evolution of science communication, highlighting how scientists once directly engaged with the public in lively, accessible ways but gradually distanced themselves due to the complexities of scientific language, context, and detail. The speaker, a PhD student, shares personal experiences of how these barriers manifest, including the challenge of effectively communicating with a non-scientific audience. The solution presented is storytelling, which allows science to be conveyed in a relatable, emotionally resonant manner, helping to bridge the gap between scientists and the public for better understanding and connection.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Royal Institution in London was a hub for public engagement with science in the 1800s and early 1900s, where artists, poets, and scientists would interact with the public.
• 😀 The popularity of scientific talks was so high that Alber Marl Street became London's first one-way street to manage traffic chaos caused by large crowds.
• 😀 Over time, the direct connection between scientists and the public weakened due to changes in how science was communicated and scientists' increased focus on research.
• 😀 One of the biggest barriers to science communication is the complexity and objectivity of scientific language, which makes it hard for the public to relate or care about the information.
• 😀 Personal experience shows how scientists sometimes struggle with non-scientific communication, like when the speaker tried to write a love letter but couldn't escape the objective language of science.
• 😀 Context can create a barrier between scientists and the public—scientific terms like 'model' or 'significant' mean different things to experts versus the general public.
• 😀 Scientists often include excessive details in their communication to ensure accuracy, but this can overwhelm or disengage the audience, as seen at a conference.
• 😀 Effective science communication requires simplicity and engagement, but scientists often struggle to translate their detailed work into something the public can understand.
• 😀 Storytelling can serve as a powerful tool in overcoming the barriers of complex scientific language, allowing scientists to emotionally connect with the audience while conveying scientific concepts.
• 😀 The example of the wood frog illustrates how storytelling can make complex scientific concepts more relatable. The frog survives freezing temperatures through a unique natural adaptation, blurring the line between life and death.
• 😀 To effectively reconnect with the public, scientists should embrace the simple language of storytelling to bridge the gap between technical knowledge and public understanding.

Q & A

What is Alber Marl Street known for in London's history?

Alber Marl Street was London's first one-way street, famously home to the Royal Institution where, in the 1800s and early 1900s, artists, poets, and scientists engaged with the public, giving live demonstrations and talks about their latest discoveries.

Why was Alber Marl Street made one-way?

The street was made one-way due to the heavy traffic and large crowds of carriages coming to attend scientific talks at the Royal Institution, which were immensely popular at the time.

What role did scientists play in society during the 1800s and early 1900s?

Scientists were highly revered and seen as the most exciting figures in society. They gave live demonstrations, told stories about their work, and interacted with the public, forming a strong connection between science and everyday people.

How did the relationship between scientists and the public evolve over time?

As science advanced, scientists began to focus more on research and less on public engagement. Over time, the connection between scientists and the public weakened, partly due to the complexity and objectivity of scientific language.

What are the three barriers to science communication mentioned in the script?

The three barriers to effective science communication are: 1) the complexity and objectivity of scientific language, 2) differences in context between scientists and the public, and 3) the overwhelming amount of detail scientists use in their communication.

What was the writer's personal experience with scientific language?

The writer, a PhD student in science, struggled with clear communication in their writing. They shared an experience of drafting a message to their girlfriend, which was overly technical and lacking emotional connection due to their reliance on scientific language.

How does the writer illustrate the issue with scientific language in personal communication?

The writer humorously describes how their attempt to write a love letter to their girlfriend came out in a cold, convoluted manner due to their reliance on scientific language, showing the emotional disconnect caused by objective and complex terms.

What is the misunderstanding regarding the word 'model' in science?

In science, a 'model' refers to an idealized representation of a process, but to the general public, 'model' may simply mean a person who is physically attractive, creating a context clash in communication.

What was the writer's reaction to an overly detailed presentation slide at a conference?

The writer humorously describes losing interest in an overly detailed slide at a conference, where the level of complexity caused them to stop paying attention and focus on other distractions instead of absorbing the content.

What did the writer realize was the key to overcoming these barriers in science communication?

The writer realized that storytelling was the key to overcoming communication barriers. By telling stories, they could make complex scientific concepts more relatable and emotionally engaging for the public while still conveying the necessary scientific details.

How did the writer use the story of the wood frog to explain science?

The writer used the story of the wood frog's ability to survive freezing temperatures as a way to explain complex biological processes in an engaging and relatable way. This story demonstrated how storytelling can make science more accessible and emotionally connected to the audience.

What is the importance of emotional connection in science communication?

The emotional connection is crucial in science communication because it helps the public care about scientific topics. Without this connection, it is difficult for the public to understand and appreciate the significance of scientific work.

What lesson does the writer convey about the role of simplicity in science communication?

The writer emphasizes that using simple language, such as storytelling, does not mean simplifying the science itself. Instead, it means making complex concepts more accessible and engaging, allowing for a deeper connection with the audience.