When I first started my scientific training, I realized that while I was learning how to design experiments, analyze data, and write papers, no one was really teaching me how to talk about science beyond my lab or field. I saw brilliant research sometimes get lost in jargon or miss the chance to connect with the people who could benefit most from understanding it—the public, policymakers, educators, and communities. I was guilty of this myself. I often didn’t go out of my way to talk about the work I do with my friends and family, let alone broader communities or online, where it could reach wider audiences.
That gap bothered me. If we scientists don’t tell our stories in ways people can relate to, who will?
That’s why, earlier this year, I co-created and launched Engaging with Science Policy Through Traditional and New Media—a 10-week virtual course designed to equip early-career scientists with the tools and confidence to communicate their work beyond the lab bench. The course also addresses another gap that we identified: how to communicate science effectively in today’s ever-evolving media landscape shaped by social media.
Social media has become a major source of science information for the public. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, 85% of people surveyed by the Pew Research Center reported receiving at least some information about vaccines from social media platforms. In that context, ensuring that accurate, evidence-based science has a visible and trusted presence is more critical than ever.
This course was developed and delivered through SCOPE (Science Careers and Opportunities in Policy and Education), a newly founded organization based at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory that supports the development of policy-aware scientists. I co-created it alongside my incredible SCOPE co-founders and colleagues—Dr. Rebecca Leshan, Dr. Stefano Cataldi, and Rohini Guin—and it has quickly become one of the most meaningful and rewarding projects of my career.
Building the Course from Scratch
Developing this course was a massive learning experience. I had never built a curriculum from the ground up before. My previous teaching experience was limited to working as a teaching assistant during my undergraduate years for courses developed by others. It quickly became clear just how much thought and care goes into designing sessions that are both informative and engaging. Each week needed to strike a careful balance: too much theory and participants would tune out; too little, and they wouldn’t leave with practical skills they could apply.
Beyond covering essential topics and communication methods to empower participants to engage with science beyond the classroom, we wanted the course to feel like a supportive space where people from diverse disciplines and backgrounds could share their struggles and successes in communicating science. We intentionally brought together a group of 24 participants, from postdocs to undergraduates, spanning fields across the sciences. Our cohort was spread across five countries and 16 U.S. states, and that range of perspectives enriched every discussion.
Learning from Amazing Voices
We invited incredible guest speakers who each brought a unique perspective: Rebecca Leshan helped us grasp the fundamentals of communicating complex science clearly; Uma Chatterjee showed us how to navigate social media thoughtfully; JP Flores taught us the art of storytelling through podcasts and video; and Nola du Toit demonstrated the power of compelling data visualization.
Later, we tackled some of the biggest challenges in today’s media landscape, misinformation and ethical dilemmas, with Casey Fiesler, and explored how to communicate climate science and public health with Eric Davidson and Georges Benjamin, respectively. Their stories and expertise gave us real-world context for why this work matters.
Putting Skills into Practice
The most rewarding part of this course for me is watching participants bring their ideas to life and seeing their passions shine through as they created original media communications for their final projects. Over the past few weeks, they’ve developed podcasts, videos, infographics, and social media campaigns on topics they care deeply about. Whether translating their research for policymakers or engaging general audiences, each project reflects a thoughtful, creative effort to make science more accessible and meaningful.
More than anything, these projects underscore a core belief I’ve developed through this course: effective science communication is rooted in human connection and personal values. When someone speaks with genuine excitement, it draws you in, even to topics you never thought you’d care about. Too often, scientists are taught to prioritize impartiality to the point where it dulls our ability to truly connect. This course showed me how powerful it can be when we give ourselves permission to lead with purpose and emotion.
All of the final projects will be published on the SCOPE website soon, open for the public to explore and share.
What I’ve Learned Personally
This experience has been genuinely eye-opening. Curriculum development is no small task, and making content both engaging and accessible is its own kind of art. I learned how important it is to create interactive, inclusive spaces where participants aren’t just absorbing information, but also finding and sharing their own voices. I hope they continue to use this voice to bring science into their communities in meaningful ways.
I also came away with a deeper understanding of just how essential science communication is, not just as a tool for outreach or advocacy, but as a core part of being a responsible scientist. It’s about building trust, countering misinformation, and making sure our work truly has an impact in the world around us.
Looking Ahead
I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished with SCOPE, but this is just the beginning. There’s a huge need to scale these kinds of training opportunities and build communities that support scientists as communicators throughout their careers.
For those of you reading this who are early-career scientists or trainees: don’t wait for formal training to start practicing your public engagement skills. Seek out communities, start small projects, and find your voice. Our research matters, but how we share it is equally important.
I’m excited to see how this community of new communicators will grow and how we can all help science become more accessible, relevant, and impactful in the years to come.
This project was supported by a Research!America Public Engagement Training Grant. If you’re interested in learning more about SCOPE, the course, or the process of applying for Research!America funding opportunities, please feel free to reach out!
Emma Courtney 