by Clara Malekshahi
The world of scientific research is notoriously exclusionary. The use of jargon in papers, in presentations, even in interviews, impairs the public’s understanding of science and their ability to engage with research. The high barrier for participation in science breeds widespread exclusion of underrepresented minorities: twice as many underrepresented minority students switch out of a scientific field of study than students of white or Asian descent. Exclusion in scientific research is especially concerning in biology and biomedical fields, which so directly impact peoples’ lives. In particular, those in biochemistry, pharmacy, biology, and other biological fields are more likely to have graduate degrees than in almost any other field, restricting access to this knowledge to those with advanced degrees. All of this hinders engagement with the larger, non-scientific community. And yet, science is meant to serve the community at large. Such a vast disconnect makes it easier to spread misinformation and reduce the credibility of scientists.
But like a living organism, science moves and grows. Scientists are increasingly involving the public in many ways. Public effort is being used for data collection and project development. There are more and more programs in place to engage younger students — down to the high school level —in scientific discovery and learning. The non-scientific community is being included in scientific decisions and policy. There are also newer ways in which individual scientists are reaching out to the public, such as TikTok.
Publically-powered Databases
One way in which science is beginning to involve the public is through large databases. SmokeSense is run by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and asks users to monitor their experiences with smoke and wildfires. In turn, the EPA disseminates vital information about air quality in an easily accessible app. Participants have been excited about the possibility of increased communication with organizers and responders in the event of a wildfire. It also means that individuals across multiple local communities have more power, and groups particularly sensitive to wildlife smoke may benefit from more targeted protections.
Another database widely dependent on public input is eBird. Developed and maintained by the Cornell Ornithology Lab, eBird is a bird-watching database. Birders from around the globe upload their sightings in the form of checklists, and the eBird team turns this into interactive maps of the seasonal abundance and movement trends over time of nearly 3,000 bird species. Data from eBird has been used to study everything from the response of birds to climate change to the role of birds in disease prevalence and spread. All of this publicly-sourced data encourages involvement and interest from a wider audience.
Community Involvement in Research and Publishing
There are even more ways in which scientists are working closely with the public to carry out science. Perelman School of Medicine’s Dr. Eugenia South works on community science that directly benefits the people involved. Her research explores the effects of environmental interventions on the mental and physical wellbeing of neighborhoods in Philadelphia, especially minority neighborhoods. As part of her commitment to scientific inclusion, Dr. South works with several community coordinators on her team. With the help of the community, Dr. South has shown that interventions intended to turn vacant lots into green spaces decreased self-reported poor mental health and depression. In the 117 areas that received new planting in addition to trash removal and regular maintenance, there was a roughly 50% drop in depression among respondents. In neighborhoods below the poverty line that received new green spaces, that drop in depression was even higher. Her work also connects communities with urban designers to create more green spaces. Through the Deeply Rooted community collaborative, Dr. South’s team even encourages grant applications by the public. The creation of these new connections is vital to increase public engagement with scientists: there is a tangible, rapid effort towards change.
This trend of public involvement extends to younger generations. Scientists are actively involving members of the public in peer-reviewed research, starting as early as high school. The Journal of Student Research, for example, specifically targets young potential scientists. In the past 13 years, they’ve published over 2,000 articles with a specific target towards high schoolers from all over the world. And what are these high schoolers writing about? Everything, from machine learning, to multi-omics of molecular pathways, to explorations into the impacts of climate change. The journal is supported by a vast editorial team of PhD-level scientists, each of whom engages with these students as fully fledged scientists.
The Journal of Student Research is not the only avenue for high schoolers to engage in scientific publications. In early 2022, the Microbiology Spectrum journal published a paper on avian paramyxovirus in New York City. To learn as much as possible about the prevalence of disease in pigeons in New York City, this Mount Sinai-based team assembled a crew of community scientists: The New York City Virus Hunters. Five of these virus hunters, who became co-authors on the paper after sampling and analyzing the data, were high school students. The engagement with the New York City Virus Hunters and the high schoolers are huge steps towards actively including the community in scientific activities.
Social Media - the Bad and the Good
Part of the increased engagement of the public with science comes from increased accessibility of science on social media. In many ways, this is incredibly detrimental for both the public and scientists. Influencers and communicators on social media are often paid to disseminate information by industries that may want to increase sales, such as the tobacco industry. Unfortunately, misinformation and false news are often more viewed and spread than the truth. This misinformation is incredibly confusing and can erode trust in science and scientists. Although 54% of Americans get science news from general news outlets, only 28% of American adults believe that these news outlets get their facts right. This suggests a significant amount of skepticism amongst U.S. adults.
Despite these flaws, social media is nonetheless partially responsible for increased accessibility, and is sometimes even helpful. There are scientist influencers all over the Tik Tok, as well as doctors and public health officials helping to disseminate key information. These science influencers have followers that might number in the tens of thousands, and they are increasing the scientific understanding of the general public everyday. Additionally, social media giants have successfully partnered with health agencies like the WHO to disseminate information about COVID-19 vaccinations.
For too long, the subjects of scientific research—the general public—have not been included in active research. Citizen science databases are a great first step. But getting communities involved in making beneficial changes, and actively taking steps toward such changes, as Dr. South has done, is even better. That, finally, is the goal: to work together with the communities we serve to improve quality of life. And there is no lower limit to when to start engaging the public; high schoolers are increasingly getting involved in publishing research. All of this signals a change in the accessibility of science, and strengthens trust in scientists at a time when each new morsel of misinformation erodes credibility.