Scientists as explainers: pros and cons
Who makes the best explainer – a scientist trained to communicate, or a communicator trained in the science? Join us as we unpack the role of the explainer as a science communicator, discuss the pros and cons of recruiting explainers from a university-level science background and share practical training tips.
At each of our science centres, we use university students as explainers to communicate science and inspire visitors. Our explainers’ scientific backgrounds add knowledge and credibility to our centres, and in turn, they gain invaluable science communication experience. Visitors benefit from the chance to meet real-life scientists, engage in scientific investigations, and perhaps realise that scientists are just like them. However, there are also challenges in recruiting and training scientists to be engaging communicators.
Facilitator
Public Programmes Team Leader
Session speakers
At the House of Science we use university students as a link between the classroom and the university. Our goal is to make science inspiring to young people. We want to share our experience, pros and cons, of recruiting and training our students and turning them into science communicators.
At the Vienna Open Lab young scientists, who have a high level of scientific knowledge, but no experience in science communication, handle the face-to-face contact with the public. It was a conscious decision to employ young scientists as facilitators and I would like to share our considerations in this regard. Furthermore I will point out how we find support within the structures of the university to recruit our staff and what are the pros and cons of the different training approaches we use.
Space Communications Manager
Who makes the best explainer – a scientist trained to communicate, or a communicator trained in the science? At the National Space Centre, we have experience of both. Most of our explainers are drawn from physics undergraduates from the University of Leicester. I’ll discuss how this team was established, how it’s supported by the University, and how we give the students training in both public presenting and science writing. I’ll also share an interactive demo of an effective training exercise.
