IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group
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Communication

Science communication is part of a scientist’s everyday life – scientists must give presentations at conferences and workshops, write articles in peer-reviewed journals, produce proposals, communicate with a variety of audiences, and educate others. But this communication was, and still unfortunately is, often limited to peer-to-peer. In the past few decades, communication adapted to a wider, and often non-scientific, audience has grown through varied new channels – television, press, social networks, websites, etc – and has become a condition for most funding opportunities.

« To be a successful scientist, you must be an effective communicator. »

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« Effective communication is about getting your message across. Specifically, it involves capturing your audience's attention, ensuring your audience understands the idea you are trying to convey, and encouraging your audience to do something with that information, such as remember it, apply it, or provide feedback. A message is not just information; rather, it is the interpretation of the information. It says what the information means for the audience. It is to information what conclusions are to results. If information is the answer to the question What? (as in "What did you find in your research?"), then the message is the answer to the question So what? (as in "What do your findings mean to your audience?").

Effective communication, therefore, is centered on the audience: It is audience-friendly, just as effective software is user-friendly. In your communication, focus on what your audience needs or wants to learn, not on what you feel like telling them. Strive to see things from their perspective. Keep in mind all the potential members of your audience (at least those who matter for your purpose), not just those who have expertise or interests similar to your own.
 »
Doumont, J., ed. English Communication for Scientists. Cambridge, MA: NPG Education, 2010.
The IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group (SSG) vision is a world where sharks, rays and chimaeras are valued and managed sustainably. Our mission is to secure the conservation, management and, where necessary, the recovery of the world's sharks, rays, and chimaeras by mobilizing technical and scientific expertise to provide the knowledge that enables action.
 
Shark Specialist Group members are primarily scientists, and their mission is to 'provide the knowledge that enables action'. This action is directly linked to policy, political decisions, and public engagement; hence, understanding their scientific communication plays a crucial role in the application and success of these actions.
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« When scientists are able to communicate effectively beyond their peers to broader, non-scientist audiences, it builds support for science, promotes understanding of its wider relevance to society, and encourages more informed decision-making at all levels, from government to communities to individuals. It can also make science accessible to audiences that traditionally have been excluded from the process of science. It can help make science more diverse and inclusive. ​»
Effective Communication, Better Science | Scientific American
This website, our social network feeds and our publications play a key role in communicating effectively to a varied and wide audience.

BRAND GUIDE
Communication strategy

More information

  • Driving scientific research into journalistic reporting on forests, environment and climate change - Handbook for scientists
  • Scientists Need to Talk to the Public | Scientific American
  • Scientists Are Learning the Power of Outreach
  • Why scientists should communicate​


  • Home
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • Sponsors
    • Communication >
      • Visual Identity and Brand Guide
      • Communication Strategy
    • Documents
    • Membership | TOR
    • FAQ
  • Members
    • Who We Are >
      • Our Team
      • Our Members
      • Our History
    • Where We Work >
      • North America
      • Central America and the Caribbean
      • South America
      • Northern Europe
      • Mediterranean
      • Africa
      • Indian Ocean
      • ​Asia
      • Oceania
    • What We Do >
      • Aquarium Working Group
      • Assess Working Group
      • Bycatch Working Group
      • Communication Working Group
      • Deepwater Chondrichthyans Working Group
      • Future Leaders Working Group
      • Human Dimensions Working Group
      • Integrative Taxonomy Working Group
      • Marine Historical Ecology Working Group
  • Resources
    • Shark News >
      • Shark News | Submission Guidelines
    • Shark News Legacy
    • Publications >
      • Status Reports
      • Fisheries Management
      • Conservation Strategies
      • Migratory Species
      • SSG Statements
      • Identification Guide
      • Trade
      • Other
    • Scientific References
    • Conservation Strategies >
      • Conservation Strategies: Sawfish
      • Conservation Strategies: Devil and Manta Rays
      • Conservation Strategies: Angel Sharks
    • Policy Planning >
      • CITES >
        • CITES 17th CoP
      • The Convention on Migratory Species and Sharks
      • The Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks (Sharks MOU)
      • The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and Sharks
      • RFMOs
      • IPOA-Sharks
    • Workshops >
      • IUCN SSC SSG Workshops
      • Red List News
    • Press
    • Links
    • Media Resources
  • News
  • Contact
  • Donate