Behavioral Grooves Podcast

People Want Answers: How to Communicate in a Crisis with Christopher Reddy

Jul 10, 2023

01:06:14

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Christopher Reddy, an oceanographer, discusses his experiences relaying vital information during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. Topics include challenges of communicating in a crisis, the importance of effective communication strategies, collaborating with graphic artists and communicators, and embracing uncertainty in crisis communication.

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Quick takeaways

Trustworthy communication is crucial during a crisis to convey accurate information promptly and combat disinformation and misinformation.

Science communicators should embrace uncertainty and convey percentages of certainty or likelihood to improve understanding and decision-making.

Science communication plays a vital role in connecting scientists with the public, improving their own work, and fostering engagement and informed societies.

Deep dives

Importance of Trustworthy Communication in a Crisis

During times of crisis, trustworthy communication becomes crucial to ensure that accurate information is conveyed promptly. In a world filled with disinformation and misinformation, it is important to weed out fake stories and provide credible information. Science communicators face the challenge of conveying credible information effectively to different audiences. The Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion serves as an example of the communication challenges faced during a crisis, where families, executives, leaders, and the public sought updates and explanations. Science communicators need to balance focus and provide the right amount of information at the right time. Crafting authentic messages even with incomplete information is key to building trust.

Introduction

4min

Exploring Identity and Perception in Science Communication

6min

Discovering Traces of an Oil Spill and the Importance of Asking Questions

2min

Communicating Science in a Crisis

18min

Collaborating for Effective Science Communication

13min

Distracted Driving and Queen's Music

3min

Embracing Uncertainty in Crisis Communication

21min

Between disinformation and misinformation, it’s difficult to know what and who to trust, especially during a crisis. When disaster does strike, it is critical that scientific information is communicated clearly. Oceanographer Christopher Reddy discusses his experiences relaying vital information during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010.

Scientists are bathing in uncertainty. It is the basis of their work. As Chris says “if I’m certain about something, I’m not going to research it.” But during a disaster, people crave answers, not a comprehensive research paper published 5 years after the event! So a huge challenge for scientists is how to communicate effectively to both the media, the public and all of the stakeholders involved in disaster relief.

In this episode, we’ve reached outside of our traditional box of guests and are talking with a sharp, witty and very informative scientist, Christopher Reddy. Chris is a chemist, but for reasons he explains in the podcast, he most often refers to himself as an oceanographer. He is a leader in the study of marine pollution and the development of environmentally friendly industrial chemicals and works as a senior scientist in the Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry at Woods Hole Oceanographic.

When the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster struck in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, Chris was one of the sets of boots on the ground, leading the field operations. His expertise in the science of oil spills meant he was thrust into a public facing role which later got him personally entangled in the BP legal case surrounding the liability for the spill. He’s written about this experience in his new book, Science Communication in a Crisis: An Insider’s Guide.

We love bringing you interesting and funny conversations from people like Chris. If you would like to support our work, please share this episode on social media, write a review on your app or become a Behavioral Grooves Patreon member.

Topics

(3:57) Welcome and speed round questions.

(7:57) How communicating can make you a better scientist.

(13:02) Who are the most important stakeholders in the communication process?

(16:16) Mistrust in science is a big challenge.

(18:04) How to communicate uncertainty.

(22:32) Public statements have real world consequences.

(25:33) Why you shouldn’t start a conversation with your PhD qualifications!

(30:18) The hardest part of the Deepwater Horizon disaster for Chris.

(35:05) Clair Patterson’s impact on the world.

(39:11) Advice on how to become a science communicator.

(40:46) Why Chris can’t listen to music.