About this Research Topic
Empowering individuals in society to make informed, evidence-based decisions about their health and well-being is vital, particularly in the current context of an overwhelming amount of misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories easily accessed on the internet and social media platforms. Effective science communication plays a key role in providing accurate, evidence-based information that empowers individuals to make informed decisions for themselves, their families, and their communities. The incorporation of science communication training within higher education directly impacts public trust in science and healthcare institutions, promoting informed decision-making and improved public health outcomes.
In this Research Topic, we seek to establish a platform for a comprehensive examination of both curricular and real-life strategies pertaining to science communication training. The implementation of curricular or extra-curricular educational initiatives that teach strategies for effective science communication equips future professionals and leaders with the skills to translate complex scientific information into language that is accessible to the general public. Acquiring these skills prepares scientists to serve as credible sources of information and as advocates for public health and well-being. This Research Topic aims to call attention to the educational approaches and real-life applications of science communication, and their impact on society through formal, non-formal, or informal science education initiatives.
Science communication and curriculum topics welcome to this collection may include but are not limited to the following themes:
• Innovative approaches and implementation of science communication in higher education as part of curriculum or through extra-curricular initiatives.
• Assessment of science communication curriculum design in real-world contexts at regional, national, or global levels.
• Assessment of the effectiveness and impact of science communication and advocacy initiatives.
• Higher education initiatives that address the tensions between health science communication, activism, and public participation.
• Identification of public health challenges to be addressed through the enhancement of science communication training in higher education.
We encourage contributions that provide novel approaches and assessments of how science communication strategies are incorporated through formal, non-formal, or informal initiatives. We invite submissions that explore both ongoing and completed curriculum and/or real-life applications in this area.
Dr. Muriel Grenon and Dr. Doras Sibanda are involved with the educational outreach/public engagement program Cell EXPLORERS. Dr. Aimee Bernard is involved with Think Like a Scientist, a non-profit, after-school science program in the Aurora and Denver communities. The Topic Editors declare no other competing interests with relation to this topic theme.
In this Research Topic, we seek to establish a platform for a comprehensive examination of both curricular and real-life strategies pertaining to science communication training. The implementation of curricular or extra-curricular educational initiatives that teach strategies for effective science communication equips future professionals and leaders with the skills to translate complex scientific information into language that is accessible to the general public. Acquiring these skills prepares scientists to serve as credible sources of information and as advocates for public health and well-being. This Research Topic aims to call attention to the educational approaches and real-life applications of science communication, and their impact on society through formal, non-formal, or informal science education initiatives.
Science communication and curriculum topics welcome to this collection may include but are not limited to the following themes:
• Innovative approaches and implementation of science communication in higher education as part of curriculum or through extra-curricular initiatives.
• Assessment of science communication curriculum design in real-world contexts at regional, national, or global levels.
• Assessment of the effectiveness and impact of science communication and advocacy initiatives.
• Higher education initiatives that address the tensions between health science communication, activism, and public participation.
• Identification of public health challenges to be addressed through the enhancement of science communication training in higher education.
We encourage contributions that provide novel approaches and assessments of how science communication strategies are incorporated through formal, non-formal, or informal initiatives. We invite submissions that explore both ongoing and completed curriculum and/or real-life applications in this area.
Dr. Muriel Grenon and Dr. Doras Sibanda are involved with the educational outreach/public engagement program Cell EXPLORERS. Dr. Aimee Bernard is involved with Think Like a Scientist, a non-profit, after-school science program in the Aurora and Denver communities. The Topic Editors declare no other competing interests with relation to this topic theme.
Keywords: Science communication, Science education, Health literacy, Pro-science advocacy, Evidence-based medicine, Public trust, Curriculum, Higher education, Advocacy initiatives, Public health challenges
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
