In last week’s issue of Nature, Lee McIntyre made the case that “Talking to science deniers and sceptics is not hopeless.” In this piece, McIntyre points out the important role that cultivating trust plays in effective science communication, and how it’s essential not to just spout facts but to ask questions. He concludes by suggesting scientists willing to engage with science deniers and skeptics seek resources for doing so from the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science and from our very own Center for Public Engagement with Science (PEWS) at the University of Cincinnati.
“It is an axiom of science communication that you cannot convince a science denier with facts alone; most science deniers don’t have a deficit of information, but a deficit of trust. And trust has to be built, with patience, respect, empathy and interpersonal connections.”
Lee McIntyre, Nature
Here at PEWS, we are hard at work developing effective interdisciplinary training in public engagement with science, community partnerships for local outreach, and theoretical and practical resources for academics interested to engage with the public about science. Check out our website, social media, and email list to see what we have to offer University of Cincinnati researchers and students, the Greater Cincinnati community, and academics elsewhere, and stay tuned as we continue to roll out resources.
Read Lee McIntyre’s “Talking to science deniers and sceptics is not hopeless“
