Science Communication — Making Research Accessible

Overview

Translate complex scientific findings into engaging content for non-specialist audiences.

Output Types

Press Release

• Headline: Active voice, no jargon, emphasize significance
• Lead paragraph: Who, what, when, where, why — in plain language
• Quote: From the lead researcher, expressing significance
• Background: 1-2 paragraphs of accessible context
• Implications: What this means for patients/society/technology
• Contact info: PI, institution press office

Plain-Language Summary

• Write at 8th-grade reading level
• Replace jargon: "gene expression" → "how active a gene is"
• Use analogies: "DNA methylation is like a dimmer switch for genes"
• One key finding per paragraph
• End with "Why it matters"

Social Media (Twitter/X Thread)

• Hook tweet: surprising finding in <280 chars
• 3-5 thread tweets explaining the story
• Include: figure, emoji for visual breaks, relevant hashtags
• Tag relevant accounts (journal, institution, collaborators)

Blog Post / Explainer

• Catchy title (question or surprising fact)
• Opening hook: a story, analogy, or question
• Background: what was known before
• The breakthrough: what's new
• Implications: what happens next
• Further reading: links to paper and resources

Principles

• Accuracy: Never oversimplify to the point of being wrong
• Engagement: Tell a story, not a lecture
• Honesty: Include limitations and caveats
• Accessibility: No acronyms without expansion, no undefined jargon