Modern science outreach: a guide for scientists

The short version

Science communication doesn't have to mean going viral every day. In a guide for Cell, we lay out six practices, from perfecting your elevator pitch to joining podcasts, that help scientists reach the public, each rated by how much time it takes and how far it can reach.

What we did

Most people say they want to hear more from scientists. Yet scientists are scarce on the platforms where people actually get their news, which leaves room for non-experts and misinformation to fill the gap. Part of the problem is that science communication is rarely taught: most scientists simply never get trained to do it.

So 15 of us, researchers and science communicators from many fields, wrote a practical guide for scientists at any career stage. Every practice in it is grounded in research, and every one is something at least one of us has actually done. We also rated each practice on two simple 1-to-5 scales: how much effort it takes, and how far it can reach, from your scientific colleagues all the way to the general public.

What we found

Before you even get started, know your audience. “The public” isn’t one group. Figure out who you most want to reach, what they already know and care about, and what might stop them from listening, so you can meet people where they are.
Craft your research summary (low effort). Imagine a curious stranger at an airport bar asks what you do. Could you explain it simply? An hour spent drafting a clear, jargon-free summary and testing it on friends pays off everywhere, from family dinners to your lab website.
Get communication training (low to high effort). Options range from one-day workshops and competitions like the Three Minute Thesis to full degree programs in science communication.
Talk to journalists (moderate effort). Reporters need scientists to get the story right. Your university’s press office can help you prepare, and becoming a go-to source can open more doors over time.
Speak in public (moderate effort). Science festivals, school visits, and events like Pint of Science let you talk with people face to face, including about the hard questions.
Go online (moderate to high effort). Social media, blogs, and writing for outlets like The Conversation can reach huge audiences, but each platform has its own culture. You don’t have to go viral: smaller, more personal conversations matter too.
Join podcasts (moderate effort). Podcasts reach hundreds of millions of listeners. Saying yes helps make sure an expert, not a non-expert, is the one explaining your field.

Why it matters

Scientists don’t need to do everything, or become influencers, to make a difference. Even a low-effort step, like having a clear way to explain your research, helps build trust in science. The key is choosing approaches that feel sustainable and authentic to you, setting boundaries to protect your well-being online, and treating outreach as a two-way conversation rather than a lecture.

Cite the paper

Moses, A., Zhang, A. L., Todorovic, M., Ramakrishna, R., Facciani, M., Eagleman, D. M., Sever, R., Eyre, H. A., Bhamla, S., Moore, J. P., Chapman, S. B., Ramos, K. M., Hayden, E. C., Malenka, R. C., & Rein, B. (2026). Modern science outreach: A guide for scientists. Cell, 189(17), 5174–5181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2026.07.014

Read the paper Accepted version (PDF)