Spring 2025 • Issue 25

Communicating Science

Published May 2025

This issue on Communicating Science argues that effective communication is essential for the survival of Great Lakes science in a challenging political climate. It offers guidance on engaging policymakers and the public through compelling storytelling, authentic messaging, and passion, moving beyond dry data delivery. The content emphasizes cross-cultural communication strategies, particularly the necessity of respectful engagement and reciprocity with Indigenous communities, and showcases creative outreach methods like comedy and local journalism to build trust and make science accessible.

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Features

The art of communication: Notes from a long-time environmental journalist

Veteran journalist Tom Henry shares insights on the importance of storytelling, human impact, and trust in communicating Great Lakes science to the public and policymakers.

Science communication through comedy

Anna Boegehold shares how improv comedy training has helped her overcome public speaking anxiety and improve her science communication skills by embracing failure and storytelling.

Becoming a bridge: Strategies to build culturally informed and community-engaged environmental communications

Seven strategies for cross-cultural communication are presented, focusing on humility, reciprocity, and weaving Indigenous and Western knowledges in the Manomin Project.

The power of authenticity in science communication

Tamara Poles argues that building trust in science communication requires authenticity, vulnerability, and recognizing the audience's expertise, rather than trying to mimic their peers.

Forging a new era of Great Lakes protection: An urgent call to communicate your science to policy makers and the public

David Dempsey urges scientists to overcome communication barriers and actively engage with policy makers and the public to protect Great Lakes science from political headwinds.

Four key lessons for Great Lakes scientific communication

Mike Shriberg outlines four essential lessons for communicating Great Lakes science: focus on impacts, tell stories, show passion, and unify messages to navigate political and environmental challenges.

Sea lampreys and science communication: Protecting fish and fisheries from a Great Lakes menace

The Great Lakes Fishery Commission's communication strategy for sea lamprey control is detailed, emphasizing the importance of maintaining social license and public trust through effective engagement.

Narrating water: Ecocultural storytelling for Great Lakes restoration

Lynne Heasley and Glenn Wolff explore the power of ecocultural storytelling to connect people emotionally and spiritually with Great Lakes restoration, moving beyond pure science-telling.

Science and local journalism: Informing better, together

Ellie Katz highlights the role of local journalism in bridging the gap between scientists and the public, using storytelling and audio to make science accessible and relatable.

Talking about science: The importance of your origin story

Sandra Svoboda advises scientists on crafting and sharing their origin stories to connect with audiences, build credibility, and make their work relatable to the public and media.

Start with a plan: Strategic communication in scientific research

Elizabeth Striano emphasizes the need to integrate communications planning into research design from the beginning to ensure impactful and useful products for end users.

Departments

Book Review

A life melding science, art, and a love of the outdoors

A review of David Jude's poetry book, which blends ecological processes, whimsical views of biota, and philosophical musings, celebrating a life of melding science and art in the Great Lakes.

Member Spotlight

El Lower

El Lower, GLANSIS Communication Specialist, discusses the rhetoric of invasion science, the importance of storytelling in conservation, and their passion for foraging and wild foods.

Member Spotlight

Sumeep Bath

Sumeep Bath, editorial and cmmunications manager at IISD Experimental Lakes Area, shares his journey from Spanish teacher to science communicator and offers advice on testing messages with diverse audiences.

Research Brief

Equitable environmental storytelling a potent tool to fight environmental injustice

Research highlights the importance of community-driven storytelling models to fight environmental injustice, moving away from extractive media practices toward equitable, collaborative narratives.

Research Brief

Rethinking risk communication: Understanding audience needs matters

A study on HAB risk communication in Michigan reveals that emotionally framed messages and understanding audience needs are more effective than purely factual ones for increasing risk perception.