Grounded in strategic thinking and social science research, this textbook empowers students to confidently navigate skillful and effective science communication.
Developed by leading science, health, and risk communication scholars, the book provides a clear, research-informed approach to communicating with audiences across the scientific community and broader society. Readers explore how to put theory into practice through classroom-tested activities, international real-world examples, and thoughtful practice-oriented assignments. These tools help students to create audience-centered communication strategies, build habits of ethical and intentional engagement, and engage with a wide range of audiences, ultimately developing greater alignment between science and society. It prepares students to be more effective communicators and works to define science communication education by integrating practice with evidence and reflection.
This text is ideal for graduate and upper-level undergraduate courses, especially in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields and is an essential resource for the next generation of science communicators.
Online resources such as training activities, further reading, videos, and a test bank are available at www.routledge.com/9781032797335.
The Open Access version of this book, available at www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license.
By:
Laura Lindenfeld (Stony Brook University USA),
John C. Besley (Michigan State University,
USA),
Xia Zheng,
Anthony Dudo (The University of Texas at Austin,
USA),
Todd P. Newman (University of Wisconsin-Madison,
USA)
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 229mm,
Width: 152mm,
Weight: 650g
ISBN: 9781032798035
ISBN 10: 1032798033
Pages: 256
Publication Date: 29 September 2025
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Introduction: Why Should Scientists Communicate? Section I: Strategy, Research, and Audiences 1. Why Are You Communicating? Starting with Strategy 2. Zooming in on Strategy: Unpacking Goals and Objectives 3. Who’s Your Audience? Section II: Building Your Communication Muscles. Key Tactics, Competencies, and Skills for Science Communication 4. Designing Effective Messages 5. Tell Me a Story! 6. The Role of Visuals in Science Communication Section III: Channels 7. Communicating in Person 8. Communicating in Writing 9. Communicating through Social Media 10. Communicating with Journalists and Media Professionals 11. Communicating with Policymakers 12. Communicating Through Events 13. Communicating on Teams 14. Conclusion: Ethical Considerations and Encouragement to Practice
Laura Lindenfeld is Executive Director of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science. John C. Besley is the Ellis N. Brandt Professor of Public Relations at Michigan State University, U.S.A. He recently published Strategic Science Communication (2022). Xia Zheng is an Assistant Professor in the School of Communication and Journalism at Stony Brook University, U.S.A. Anthony Dudo is an Associate Professor in the Moody College of Communication and the Program Director of Science Communication in the Center for Media Engagement at the University of Texas at Austin, U.S.A. He recently published Strategic Science Communication (2022). Todd P. Newman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Life Sciences Communication and an affiliate of the Robert F. and Jean E. Holtz Center for Science & Technology Studies and the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, U.S.A.
