Science popularization, or popular science, has always been on the radar of the scientific community; with the cabinets of curiosity from the 17th century being one of the first attempts to gather knowledge with the aim of making it accessible to the general public, to the laypeople. There are various reasons explaining this propensity to introduce science to the “ignorant masses”, known as “popularization” or “vulgarization” – after all, in Latin both popularis and vulgaris mean “popular (to the great mass)”, with the latter having a “common, ordinary”, almost negative connotation to it –, which then contributed to the popularization of science. In the last twenty years or so, we have seen a radical shift: that of a civic involvement from science to social issues – a determining factor in shaping opinions, understanding current challenges, and conveying key information. Therefore, researchers of all kinds, health professionals… the invitation is launched: dare to popularize science!
SCIENCE IS EVERYWHERE: LET IT BE EXPLAINED TO US!
A few months of life and made it. Facing that wonder, her parents open their eyes and hold their breath: made it, the little one takes her first steps. Clumsily. Soon she stumbles and falls. Nothing serious; it’s just gravitation. A concrete experience of the Earth’s law of universal attraction. At the time of the meal, a small finger dipped in a too hot porridge triggers a strong crying fit. Thus, the thermal energy flow between two objects of different temperatures turns out to be painful. And this light that’s turned on and off by pressing the button of the living room lamp – how amusing! While invisible, free electrons are at work and their flow produces electric current.
Science is everywhere; examples abound. From a very young age, human beings experiment with the scientific principles that govern their daily lives. Science constitutes a formidable melting pot of laws capable of explaining the universe, as well as phenomena to decipher and enigmas to solve. What better project than to share the keys to understanding the world, the challenges of ongoing research, or discoveries that can broaden the field of knowledge and disrupt things we took for granted? However, due to the lack of dialogue between science "communicators" and the public at large, science sometimes remains the prerogative of those "in the know". This is the challenge of popularization: breaking down the barriers – explaining and simplifying for the greatest number of people, by exposing certainties as well as doubts. The result: for the public, a broader and more enlightened understanding of the world, the ability to take a step back and make sometimes decisive choices while being better informed.
POPULARIZATION: A SKILFUL COMBINATION OF KNOWLEDGE, KNOWLEDGEABLENESS, AND KNOW-HOW
When all is said and done, the word “popularization” does not cut a fine figure, due to the popular dimension attached to it – the concept’s function being to suit masses. Make no mistake about it, this is indeed a demanding exercise: it requires knowledge (solid knowledge of the subject matter), complemented by know-how (demonstrating, experimenting, explaining), and knowledgeableness (putting oneself in the shoes of people who do not do research, anticipating questions and comprehension problems). No more than anyone else, scientists are naturally endowed with these qualities. On the contrary, they may even be victims of the curse of knowledge (1). This cognitive bias leads an author to overestimate the level of understanding of a subject their audience or readers have. A posture that is far from educational, yet that is neither pernicious nor arrogant. And fortunately, in our latitudes, the time when science was used to manipulate people into submitting themselves to politics is long over. Thus, when that very curse of knowledge occurs, transmission and exchange remain only very partial, nay non-existent. Conversely, magic happens when scientists, endowed with their role towards society, are capable of communicating. Not only do the “laypeople” then tackle subjects that seemed hardly accessible at first, but their observations, questions, and reactions nurture thoughts, bring to light obstacles, and make the dialogue between scientists and the public more fluid. Popularizing science is thus also a great opportunity for mutual enrichment between knowledge holders and learners. That’s why our invitation is launched: researchers, dare to popularize science! [1]
THE 3 C’S: CONFIDENCE, COMPREHENSION, COMMUNICATION
For the scientific community to be listened to and heard, it is essential to generate confidence. Facts, figures, and other arguments stamped with the seal of objectivity are insufficient on their own. It all goes down to knowing how to communicate, in other words, how to connect, how to put oneself in the place of others and how to convey information. What a fuss… Empathy, whereby one can empathize with other people, is a helpful attitude in this process. It involves admitting that it is necessary to find alternatives to break down barriers and foster comprehension. Such as offering comparisons, images, analogies; creating links with everyday life – demonstrating through experimentation. Many points of reference are needed when one wants to make a message accessible, but to do so, researchers need to step out of their comfort zones. Those with a sense of humor can use this ability to connect with others, all the while maintaining their credibility. Touching on emotions is generally a powerful way to promote learning. Telling stories, sharing childhood passions, recalling the preludes to a career in research, its setbacks, and its rebounds, evoking the memory of key people in an atypical career path: these are all resources that can be activated to communicate authentically, humanizing researchers and their discipline, while bringing people closer together.
AN ESSENTIAL ROLE IN THE AGE OF INFORMATION... AND FAKE NEWS
Popular science is nothing new: as early as the 17th century, cabinets of curiosity were dedicated to revealing the world from every angle. The meticulous and methodical inventory of insects, skulls and other minerals was intended to expose the rare, the new - the singular; in other words, it was designed to show all the richness and diversity of our world – to put it within reach. Today, other factors have made us realize why science’s integration in society is so relevant: for example, action research is a method that aims at developing practical knowledge that can bring about change in often collaborative and participatory contexts. In addition, the role of science is to conclude partnerships, find funding to initiate research, untangle controversial subjects, counter fake news with the help of objective or statistical arguments... As a bulwark against inaccuracy and misleading interpretations, science is notably indispensable in an era marked by rapid and profuse information, imparted by a teeming diversity of publishers, not all of whom are reliable. In times of public health crisis, the challenge is even more significant: people want the truth, 100% reliable forecasts, and quick solutions. By not meeting these expectations, science runs the risk of being disliked by the public, yet honesty and ethics ought to form the basis of scientific efforts to gain credibility.
THE ROLE OF SCIENCE POPULARIZERS WITHIN SOCIETY
If the contribution of science distinguishes itself so much within the media discourse, it also plays a fundamental role in the construction of political thought. It offers a frame of reference on issues at stake. By making itself heard in society, science provides basic information and incites us to put things into perspective. This is true, naturally, for those who are prepared to have doubts, as the challenge of shaking things up when convictions are deeply held is a well-known reality. Science itself is sometimes at the crux of the debate: one can recall the successive votes on the cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Switzerland, starting at the end of the nineties. The issue was complex and difficult to comprehend, not only fraught with ethical considerations but also highly emotional for the population. The scientific community was mobilized against a possible threat to scientific progress. Forced to show its true colors, the community realized the importance of direct, transparent, and committed communication.
WE ADVISE TO POPULARIZE!
Nothing can beat effective communication when it comes to promoting prevention, ensuring that treatments are taken correctly, preventing self-medication, and obtaining written consent.
Providing information understandable to every patient, regardless of their level of education, is a sign of respect for their dignity and autonomy. At a time when medicine is being called upon to involve patients more closely in their treatment, the need to communicate in layman’s terms is obvious. In this field, more than in others, jargon is likely to frighten people and create obstacles. In the dialogue between healthcare professionals and patients, popularization consists of translating into everyday language, using concrete images to illustrate things, listening to patients and their everyday reality, ensuring that they understand, while maintaining a high-quality dialogue so that all their questions find an answer. It may seem simple, but it in fact, a doctor who mentions the absence of cancer, instead of a benign tumor, makes all the difference.
SIMPLIFYING DOES NOT MEAN DUMBING DOWN
At a time when a growing number of services are becoming accessible only by writing on specific forms, on paper or on the Internet, it is important to take the diversity of readers into account. This is an ethical position: an affluent and inclusive society cannot exclude people who feel alienated from the written word. A very small minority, you might say? 16% of people living in Switzerland do not understand a simple text, which should be accessible to anyone at the end of compulsory schooling. According to the 2018 PISA survey, 24% of 15 to 16-year-old students do not reach the required reading level to consider studying smoothly . We have to worry about it! In order to facilitate access to information, text simplification is one of the most viable options. However, it is not surprising that criticism is levelled at it: “Levelling down”, “dumbing down”, “infantilizing”... Yet, nothing of the sort since one thing is certain: there is no greater challenge than simplifying – or, in other words, why make things simple when they can be complicated? Paper simplification requires a practical know-how that one needs to acquire from professionals.[2]
As has been pointed out, researchers and healthcare professionals are faced with the need to improve their communication. With the right support, they will be able to meet the challenge. And with a little practice, it can even become fun!
[1] A concept introduced by economists Colin Camerer, George Loewenstein, & Martin Weber in Journal of Political Economy. , .
[2] Etude PISA 2018“In Switzerland, the share of students who can be considered weak in this area, i.e., not reaching level 2 defined by the test designers as the minimum level of skills from which one can participate effectively and fruitfully in everyday life, is 24%.”
Credit :
White Matter Might Matter by Stefan Sommer, ETH Zurich tiré de www.flickr.com/snsf_image_competition
