In Case You Missed It – Amplifying Science in an Era of Misinformation

By Joanne Hunt, Postbac, International HIV/STD Section, Laboratory of Immunoregulation (LIR)

NIH IRTA Fellows had the opportunity to engage in a seminar and discussion session with nationally recognized and award-winning researcher and educator, Dr. Monica Wang. Dr. Wang joined the postbac fellows (virtually) from Boston, Massachusetts, where she serves as an Associate Professor at the Boston University School of Public Health, an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and Chair of the Narrative Office at the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research. She has dedicated her career to addressing health equity and the importance of improving scientific communication tactics. Dr. Wang’s extensive and multifaceted skillset provided an inspiring and informative presentation on the spread of scientific misinformation, ultimately inspiring listeners and equipping them with key strategies for amplifying scientific findings and eliminating the circulation of misinformation.

To begin, Dr. Wang illuminated the “infodemic” our world is currently experiencing. In recent years, misinformation and in particular health misinformation has spread throughout our networks at an unprecedented speed and to an extent not previously seen in human history, most notably amplified during the Sars-CoV-2 pandemic. The increased connectivity and globalization of our networks have allowed false information to disseminate faster and further than ever before. Dr. Wang highlighted a variety of circumstances that promoted the spread of misinformation, such as increasing potential distrust in government, the ubiquity of social media platforms, and the consequent information silos created by our interactions with these online environments. Dr. Wang underscored the continued politicization of science, explaining how it will require more than data to shift population perspective on health-focused misinformation. She urged us to consider how understanding societal narratives is crucial for effective message framing based on audience beliefs and values. These narratives are the patterns and stories held by people that aid in individual comprehension of how the world operates. Dr. Wang advocated for shifting narratives to more effectively change patterns of thought and behavior throughout our society.

Dr. Wang’s thorough elucidation of the history and context of misinformation, as well as its continued presence in today’s world, transitioned to a conversation on individual roles to change misinformation dynamics. Here, she reinforced her initial point of amplifying science by thinking critically and intentionally about science communication. This form of communication is the practice of informing, educating, sharing and raising awareness of a given scientific topic to lay audiences and is critical for disseminating accurate information efficiently and effectively to maximize the impact of scientific findings and recommendations. The variation of communication styles and strategies for different audiences is key for the successful implementation of data into practice to advance the public’s well-being. And she emphasized that scientists at any stage can actively participate and presented actionable strategies for postbacs and trainees to amplify their individual fields of work. Overall, her emphasis on human behavior, connection, and communication was incredibly insightful for understanding the real-world implications of research projects the fellows are currently involved in.

Dr. Wang’s Strategies for Amplifying Science to Address Misinformation

  1. Use plain language and tell a story.
  2. Integrate explanatory visuals and tools.
  3. Connect with journalists who cover your discipline.
  4. Create dissemination plans for upcoming publications.
  5. Know what other circles are saying about your field.
  6. Align your academic scholarship with public scholarship.
  7. Build your reputation over time.
Learn more about postbaccalaureate training opportunities at NIAID.
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