Brandon R. Brown, "Sharing Our Science: How to Write and Speak STEM" (MIT Press, 2023)
Mar 18, 2024
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Listen to this interview with Brandon R. Brown, as he emphasizes the importance of audience connection in STEM communication. Delve into the significance of clear writing styles and mastering English for scientific publishing. Explore how to enhance scientific communication through engaging writing and compassion towards the audience for effective research communication.
Understanding audience expectations is crucial in scientific communication to promote effective engagement and knowledge sharing.
Embracing continuous English learning and integrating conversational language are vital for effective cross-cultural scientific communication.
Deep dives
The Importance of Understanding Audience Expectations in Scientific Communication
Becoming aware of the cultural and disciplinary expectations of the audience in scientific communication is crucial. Scientists should recognize the need to master local questions and understand the audience's preferred approach, whether it focuses on how something works or what it does. By acknowledging biases and cultural nuances, communicators can promote effective engagement and knowledge sharing.
Navigating Language Challenges in Scientific Publishing
English, as the predominant language in science, poses challenges for non-native speakers. Embracing English learning as a continuous process rather than a fixed milestone is essential. Integrating conversational language and understanding the specialized scientific lexicon are vital steps in facilitating cross-cultural and interdisciplinary communication.
The Evolution of Writing Skills through Self-Awareness
Writing skills can be enhanced through self-reflection and awareness of personal biases in scientific communication. Raising awareness of key communication principles and embracing a process-oriented approach can significantly improve writing proficiency. Reflecting on the evolving writing competence experienced by individuals underscores the impact of intentional self-awareness in enhancing scientific communication.
Compassion as a Core Element in Effective Scientific Communication
Compassion towards the audience plays a central role in enhancing the effectiveness of scientific communication. Irrespective of linguistic abilities, cultivating empathy and understanding towards recipients of scientific information fosters clearer and more engaging communication. Recognizing and addressing audience expectations with compassion transcends linguistic barriers and promotes impactful knowledge dissemination.
Listen to this interview of Brandon Brown, Professor of Physics at the University of San Francisco. We talk about factoring in both message-sender and -receiver to your writing for STEM. Brown is the author of Sharing Our Science: How to Write and Speak STEM (MIT Press, 2023).
Brandon Brown : "I've seen so many different scientists and communicators, including Nobel Laureates, all the way to grad students who are struggling with the English — and it's just apparent to me that some people do have a much better sense of audience. And to my mind, that level of compassion, even perhaps of connection — that is what makes their communication work so very well. And really, this is a talent or disposition which is independent of a person's linguistic skills or background, isn't it?"
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