Advocating for science at the bench for scientists

Students, as future scientists, are exploring the importance of getting away from the bench and into the wider world. This blog series will focus on science policy and community engagement. Read the second article in the series here.

As scientists, we know that most of our day-to-day activities happen at the bench, focusing on genes, proteins and cells. We’re constantly running experiments to visualize immune cells in a human kidney, quantify the amount of RNA in a diseased mouse heart or investigate neuron excitability in brain slices.

These experiments allow scientists to continue with basic science research and are designed to answer very specific questions within our research bubble: “What will happen when I knock down this gene?”, “If we add this drug, will the tumor cells die?”, “Why did this experiment not work?”.

We get so focused on our daily tasks that we oftentimes forget the big picture about why we are conducting these experiments. How can this result help to develop a new therapy, medication or potential cure for a disease?

"The ability to effectively communicate our research is the first step to become a science advocate from behind the bench."

-- Alexa Corker

So, why is it important to zoom out and remember the big picture?

Focusing on the big picture can help to reinvigorate our passion for research and remind us of the goal of helping humankind. This can increase the visibility of the research being conducted at MUSC and other institutions.

The ability to effectively communicate our research is the first step to become a science advocate from behind the bench. Scientists need to learn how to communicate in a lay-friendly manner in order to persuade the public why our research is important and how it can relate to helping human health. Furthermore, our research is funded through taxpayer money and the public deserve to know how their money is helping human health and research.

Learning how to do this in our spare time can be tricky! Some easy ways to practice effective communication without taking away from your time at the bench include writing messages and having the internet evaluate the grade level appropriateness of your explanation (e.g. using QuillBot) and practicing communication with your lab members at lab meetings.

Here are some additional ways to advocate for science while practicing science communication at the bench:

• Call and email your local government representatives
• Take the science advocacy course through American Physiological Society
  • How to Advocate for Science

• Talk to family and friends about the importance of your work
• Participate in MUSC’s 3-minute thesis competition or join SC-PEAR’s annual Lab to Leaders poster event
• Write for the CGS Speaks Blog

The easiest way to get involved in science advocacy is practicing clear and effective science communication. With this, we, as scientists, can continue to advocate for our science and funding, all from the comfort of our bench.