Skip to main content
UploadLanguage (EN)Support
BusinessMobileSocial MediaMarketingTechnologyArt & PhotosCareerDesignEducationPresentations & Public SpeakingGovernment & NonprofitHealthcareInternetLawLeadership & ManagementAutomotiveEngineeringSoftwareRecruiting & HRRetailSalesServicesScienceSmall Business & EntrepreneurshipFoodEnvironmentEconomy & FinanceData & AnalyticsInvestor RelationsSportsSpiritualNews & PoliticsTravelSelf ImprovementReal EstateEntertainment & HumorHealth & MedicineDevices & HardwareLifestyle
SC CTSI at USC and CHLA, profile picture
Uploaded bySC CTSI at USC and CHLA
PPTX, PDF261 views

Education Resource Center Workshop Series: Teaching, Training & Communicating with Those in Science Denial

This document summarizes a presentation on teaching, training, and communicating with those who deny science. It discusses common causes of science denial like social media algorithms, K-12 education standards, lack of scientist communication training, political polarization, and identity factors. It then outlines three strategies discussed in the presentation: employing empathy to make messages more relatable; leveraging trusted community members to help communicate messages; and steering people toward credible sources of information. Attendees participated in activities to apply these strategies to their own upcoming science communications. The objectives of describing causes of science denial, identifying communication strategy opportunities, and planning updates were achieved.

Education◦
Download to read offline
Teaching, Training & Communicating With Those in Science Denial With Dr. Gale Sinatra, Stephen H. Crocker Professor of Education, Rossier School of Education, University of Southern California Dr. Katherine Guevara, Associate Director of Clinical & Translational Research Education Programs, SC CTSI Workforce Development at the University of Southern California
Warm Up Share an example of when your message about science was well- received
Objectives Describe common causes & effects of science denial Identify opportunities to use provided strategies in science communication Plan updates to science communication
SCIENCE DENIAL: WHY IT HAPPENS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS (2021)
Causes & Effects • Social media algorithms  Difficult to separate fact from fiction; echo chamber • K-12 Science teaching  Not all states teach next-generation standards (science as a process) • Lack of scientist communication training  Not understanding their audience • PR & Political polarization  Seeking out confirmation of prior beliefs (confirmation bias) • Motivation & social-emotional identity  Detriments to health including death
Strategy 1 Employ empathy to make a message more relatable Examples from Science Denial • Moveable middle • Finding common ground or common identity
Strategy 1 Activity With colleagues in breakout groups, 1. For one of your upcoming science communications, brainstorm together what might make others concerned about it 2. Try out a version of your message in which you begin by addressing concerns. What was your colleagues’ feedback? 10 minutes
Strategy 2 Leverage a trusted in-group to help communicate your message Examples from Science Denial • Epistemic authorities • Religious groups
Strategy 2 Activity 1. Think of an upcoming audience to which you will present a scientific message 2. Who are the “epistemic authorities” in that audience’s community? 3. How might you approach them as communicators of your message? 5 minutes
Strategy 3 Steer people to good sources Examples from Science Denial • Assume you need to teach skills of searching for info online • Become your own fact-checker This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
Strategy 3 Activity 1. For one of your upcoming scientific communications, identify a supporting source appropriate for your audience 2. Recommend a specific search strategy to your audience so they can find their own good source 5 minutes
Closing How will your next science communication incorporate a strategy from our work today?
Review of Objectives Describe common causes & effects of science denial Identify opportunities to use provided strategies in science communication Plan updates to science communication
https://tinyurl.com/33p7tfsu
Thank You! SC CTSI | www.sc-ctsi.org Phone: (323) 442-4032 Email: info@sc-ctsi.org Twitter: @SoCalCTSI Cite us: This work was supported by grants UL1TR001855 and UL1TR000130 from the National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS) of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. 15