Societal impact for scientists: Make a difference

Description

As a scientist, you can contribute to public debates, advise policymakers, work with NGOs and other societal actors, reach out to the media or start your own initiative. Yet stepping outside the academic world raises difficult questions. How far can you go without compro-mising scientific objectivity? How do you communicate in polarised debates? How can you reach people who do not share your worldview? And can societal engagement strengthen rather than harm your career?
In this interactive workshop, we explore how scientists can engage with society strategically and credibly. The aim is not simply to make your research better understood. It is to help you use your scientific background to create meaningful societal impact.

In this workshop, you’ll learn about:

Science, values and advocacy: Define your role in society

• Can scientists remain credible while advocating for political or societal change?

The public debate, polarisation and politics

• Phases of a public debate and how they influence your timing and communication style.

• Analyse the interests of various stakeholders in a public debate.

• Scientists in a polarised debate: Argumentation strategies for situations where facts, interests and values collide.

Science communication and media: A toolkit for influence

• Why does no one listen to you if you sound too much like a scientist?

• Moving between scientific detail and the bigger picture without oversimplifying your science.

• Finding the story that matters to your audience.

  • Effectively publicising your topic in the media.

What does this mean for your career?

• Making societal engagement part of your professional profile rather than an extra-curricular activity.

• Building networks and alliances outside academia by reaching out to policymakers, NGOs, journalists and other multipliers.