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Sam Andrews
@oceanoculus.com

There's an assumption about ocean science communication that I’ve been hearing a lot this summer. If we explain the science clearly enough, people will care. That understanding leads to engagement, engagement leads to support, support leads to change. Image credit: Jeong yunji (Unsplash)

3 reposts6 likes

Sam Andrews
@oceanoculus.com

It's a tidy model. The problem is that it doesn't quite match how people actually respond to information, especially information about things that feel large and distant.

Sam Andrews
@oceanoculus.com

Understanding ocean acidification doesn't automatically produce a sense that you can do anything about it. Knowing about microplastics doesn't translate directly into changed behaviour.

Sam Andrews
@oceanoculus.com

I don't think this means science communication that focuses on knowledge isn’t important - there is a real value in sharing knowledge in its own right.

Sam Andrews
@oceanoculus.com

But the relationship between knowledge and action is more complicated than the model suggests. No single social media post, blog article, activity with kids, or ocean festival is going to bridge that gap.