Nuts and Bolts: Across the Divide: Sarah E. Myhre Ph.D. Strategy, Skills and Priorities for Scientific Communication AND Across the Divide: Cognitive and ethical issues facing scientists Sarah E. Myhre Ph.D. Future of Ice Initiative School of Oceanography University of Washington Maybe focus on the experience of: what is the scientist’s role as a human being OR to objectively push the science out without any narrative. That question is between the lines, and could be more explicit. Public policy exists for other scientific fields: why are we held to a different standard. Important to draw the line for your audience between what you are reporting and then the normative statemtns. Professional responsibility….vs personal responsibility Only the people who don’t understand the consequence of the sciece should make the value-laden statements.

Definitely trial by fire….

Nuts and Bolts: Across the Divide: A SHORT ROADMAP Planning your dive, diving your plan Establishing expertise – an introductory exercise Mitigating risk *Discussion* Across the Divide: The advocacy spectrum Building communicative self awareness – an exploratory exercise in authenticity Emotional resilience in the face of change All content, plus additional resources at: sarahmyhre.com/naccb2016/

PLANNING YOUR DIVE, DIVING YOUR PLAN Manuscript Accepted! Manuscript Published! Time 1-10 years 1-4 months 2 weeks

PLANNING YOUR DIVE, DIVING YOUR PLAN Short courses on science communication Get on Twitter Communication workshops x5 Consider what your online presence looks like, control your own narrative, just like your CV Website? What happens when you Google your name…. Time 1-10 years 1-4 months 2 weeks

PLANNING YOUR DIVE, DIVING YOUR PLAN Write your own story Network for opportunities to contribute to higher profile blogs Fact sheet Message box Contact your institution’s communication office Online housekeeping – Twitter, FB, website Time 1-10 years 1-4 months 2 weeks

PLANNING YOUR DIVE, DIVING YOUR PLAN Interview with message box to stay on topic Post your own blog Beer, massage, retail therapy Refer reporters to your factsheets/websites Clear some space on your calendar Time 1-10 years 1-4 months 2 weeks

“Hey Scientists…are you really ready to talk to the media” PLANNING YOUR DIVE, DIVING YOUR PLAN Look at Medium article “Hey Scientists…are you really ready to talk to the media”

My name is ____________________. I am an expert in ________________, ESTABLISHING EXPERTISE – AN INTRODUCTORY EXERCISE Hi. My name is ____________________. I am an expert in ________________, because _______________________.

So, how do we reduce individual risk for scientists? MITIGATING RISK So, how do we reduce individual risk for scientists? Or, even better, how do we train students? Skills/Resources for successful scientific publication Skills/Resources for successful scientific communication Least risky On-the-fly communication skills Disciplinary Expertise Internet savvy Risky Time management Funding Message-focus Collaborative relationships Risky Framework around science ethics

MITIGATING RISK There ARE risks in talking about your science to the media and the general public Scientific Peers: Colleagues and hiring committees may not agree with the way you talk about your science (too personal, too much advocating, too emotional). The time it takes to do this well will most likely detract from your RI publishing record. General Public: Your voice may be polarized or politicized. You could be targeted for harassment. In “other” places in the world, environmentalists are killed for their views.

Look at Medium article: MITIGATING RISK/DISCUSSION There ARE risks to your career, public brand, potential future jobs, and tenure in speaking publically. It’s your responsibility to understand the landscape of risk, and to help your students and colleagues make safe decisions. Look at Medium article: Weigh the costs: communicating personally and professionally as a climate scientist

Why are we doing this work as scientists? ACROSS THE DIVIDE: Why are we doing this work as scientists? THE ADVOCACY SPECTRUM Let’s be honest, we don’t all agree… Broaden participation Enhance education infrastructure Benefit society: improved tech. or inform public policy Advocacy is not a part of institutional mandates Wake people up to the real risks of abrupt climate change Demonstrate that climate/emission trajectory right now matters Advocacy of science-based decision making

There are legitimate concerns across the spectrum Imperative of communicating real risks Erosion of trust and credibility ADVOCACY SPECTRUM The cool thing about academia is that we all get a seat at the table

Imperative of communicating real risks BUILDING COMMUNICATIVE SELF AWARENESS AN EXPLORATORY EXERCISE IN AUTHENTICITY Imperative of communicating real risks Erosion of trust and credibility

Part of the dignity of being a public servant is speaking about the THE ADVOCACY SPECTRUM Part of the dignity of being a public servant is speaking about the risks to communities and public resources Personally, for me and my family….. When I step out of my professional role, this is what I’m concerned about… You know, I’d like to answer that question, but I want to be clear that I’m speaking personally, not professionally…

Pluralism is not only possible, it is our shared future. THE ADVOCACY SPECTRUM There is a role for senior scientists to change the culture Imperative of communicating real risks Erosion of trust and credibility Pluralism is not only possible, it is our shared future. These conflicts are going NOWHERE Institutions need to acknowledge and protect individual scientists willing to take larger public risks

EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF CHANGE Published in The Guardian May 19th 2016

Integrating the pain, cognitive dissonance EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF CHANGE/ DISCUSSION “I believe most scientists are also, quietly and professionally, mourning the loss of the balance of Earth’s life. The pain doesn’t stop. It’s carried upon every wildfire, coral bleaching, or marine die-off. But, we can use these waves of pain to inform our moral commitment to the present and future. It requires the brave integration of science and self, the acceptance of loss.” Integrating the pain, cognitive dissonance Dealing with a culture of apathy and anti-intellectualism Taking care of yourself

Take home points: Nuts and Bolts: Across the Divide: My kid on skis at the age of 2 Take home points: Nuts and Bolts: Preparation is essential Establish credibility Know the landscapes of opinions around you in order to take calculated risks. Across the Divide: Acknowledge the advocacy spectrum Acknowledge the need for leadership and institutional change. Start with yourself: you aren’t a martyr, you are a scientist.