Susmita Pati On Scientists & Communication

“Scientists are becoming more and more aware of the need to communicate the importance of science ”

Susmita Pati is Chief Medical Program Advisor for the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University as well as a Professor of Pediatrics at Stony Brook University. We discuss the importance of scientists being able to communicate with the public, what is at stake (credibility & funding), and the tools she and her team have to help us get better, including the upcoming Immersion program. The inclusivity and the importance of this work resonate!

Key learnings

1. How Susmita came to realize importance of clear communication as the child of immigrant parents

2. Emphasizing communication skills for when a scientist connects with the public

3. How aware are scientists about the gap between public expectations and their skill set

4. The expectation from those who fund science to have the findings be properly communicated to the public

5. What is at stake when we are asked to speak to the public: credibility and funding

6. The international impact of the Alda Center to date

7. Choosing the word “scientist” in creating the scope of this project

8. The value of creating experiential workshops along the dictum “see one, do one, teach one”

9. Learning “Yes, and…” along with the value of making your teammates look good

10. The components that make the workshops maximally effective

11. Where pushback comes from and what success looks like

12. The upcoming Medical Immersion and how to apply

Links

Twitter @aldacenter

More about Susmita: https://www.aldacenter.org/users/susmita-pati

The Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science: https://www.aldacenter.org