Conventional methods of science communication have not been able to convert the small but vocal group of science skeptics. The facts have been there for decades; if facts and figures would have worked, it would have thirty years ago! But it hasn’t!
This is because science professionals have put too much into engaging the rational side of the brain, but neglecting three main emotional barriers that generate pushback and stalling action: fear, indifference, and despair. It doesn’t help that there has never been an emphasis on communication strategies in science education; many science professionals graduate and enter their careers well-versed in writing research papers but knowing very little about talking about what they do to their relatives, policymakers or even their pastors.
Here at The Xylom, scientists share personal, authentic stories outside of their research. Our stories explore the intersection of what it means to be a scientist and how scientists interact with the communities they identify with, covering topics such as gender, race, work-life balance, the climate crisis and more. We aim to break stereotypes, talk about “kitchen-table issues”, and provide action points to engage science skeptics multimodally. Furthermore, we endeavor to educate early-career science professionals the beauty of storytelling and social media, also to provide a burgeoning support circle for them to learn and grow with one another.