Get to heart of science communication with virtual book club June 17

Scientists and science writers see the value of employing Kearns’ advice to improve public science literacy.

Getting to the Heart of Science Communication: A Guide to Effective Engagement will be discussed at the eXtension Virtual Chat Book Club June 17. The newly released book authored by Faith Kearns is garnering rave reviews. Kearns, academic coordinator for the California Institute for Water Resources, will moderate the discussion.

“In this virtual chat, we'll discuss the rapidly changing landscape of the field, and our evolving role as Extension communicators,” said Rose Hayden-Smith, cohost of the event. “You do not need to have read the book to participate. Participants can expect a wonderful opportunity to share and learn about best practices, strategies, and resources. We'll also be discussing how communication occurs on social media.”

To participate in the book club chat, sign into your eXtension account at https://connect.extension.org, or create an account with your UC ANR email address. Then visit https://connect.extension.org/event/virtual-chat-book-club-getting-to-the-heart-of-science-communication and scroll to the bottom of the page to RSVP.

About the book

Kearns wrote the book from 25 years of experience and interviews with other science communicators. Kearns talks with the Generous Films documentary production team at the Kincade Fire in Sonoma County in 2019. Photo by Jared Stapp

In an age of seemingly endless crises related to climate change, extreme weather, the pandemic, and social and cultural upheavals across the globe, how we communicate about the science of these events has changed in dramatic ways, driven in large part by social media. Science communicators can no longer simply relate facts to captive audiences. 

In “Getting to the Heart of Science Communication: A Guide to Effective Engagement,” readers and practitioners will learn to equip themselves to navigate a changing landscape where conflict, emotion, and trauma are a critical part of the conversation that must be acknowledged, and one from which we can learn. 

This book is an essential read for graduate students, science communicators, and “adjacent” professionals, such as research scientists, journalists and policymakers. Professional communicators in all fields will find much of value in this ground-breaking book.

Read more at https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=46574. The 280-page paperback is published by Island Press and can be ordered for $30 (use code HEART for a publisher discount) at https://islandpress.org/books/getting-heart-science-communication and wherever books are sold.

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