5 February 2018

Science doesn’t speak for itself. The IPCC agrees.

Posted by Shane Hanlon

By Shane M Hanlon

Our job in Sharing Science is to help scientists communicate more effectively. Turns out that we’re not the only ones who understand the value of this endeavor. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recognizes that “…climate change doesn’t communicate itself.” So, they’ve released a pretty great guide. Of note, they touch on six main principles:

  1. Be a confident communicator
  2. Talk about the real world, not abstract ideas
  3. Connect with what matters to your audience
  4. Tell a human story
  5. Lead with what you know
  6. Use the most effective visual communication

We in Sharing Science emphasize these points in all the communication training that we do, especially when it comes to audience, storytelling, and visuals. We encourage you to take a look at IPCC’s guide and also pursue our own resources (and, if you want even more training, consider requesting a workshop!).

Shane M Hanlon is a Senior Specialist in AGU’s Sharing Science program. Find him on Twitter @ecologyofshane.