Science Communication Demands a Critical Approach That Centers Inclusion, Equity, and Intersectionality

Authors

Katherine N. Canfield, University of Rhode Island
Sunshine Menezes, University of Rhode IslandFollow
Shayle B. Matsuda
Amelia Moore, University of Rhode IslandFollow
Alycia N. Mosley Austin, University of Rhode Island
Bryan M. Dewsbury, University of Rhode IslandFollow
Mónica I. Feliú-Mójer
Katharine W.B. McDuffie, University of Rhode Island
Kendall Moore, University of Rhode IslandFollow
Christine A. Reich
Hollie M. Smith
Cynthia Taylor, University of Rhode Island

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

2020

Abstract

We live in an era of abundant scientific information, yet access to information and to opportunities for substantive public engagement with the processes and outcomes of science are still inequitably distributed. Even with increasing interest in science communication and public engagement with science, historically marginalized and minoritized individuals and communities are largely overlooked and undervalued in these efforts. To address this gap, this paper aims to define inclusive science communication and clarify and amplify the field. We present inclusive science communication as one path forward to redress the systemic problems of inequitable access to and engagement with STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine). We describe the first national Inclusive Science Communication (InclusiveSciComm) Symposium held in the U.S. Based on the experience of organizing the symposium, we discuss recommendations for other convenings to help build a community of practice for inclusive science communication. In both research and practice, we advocate for more experimentation to help make inclusive science communication the future of science communication writ large, in order to engage diverse publics in their multiple ways of knowing and expand a sense of belonging in STEMM.

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Canfield KN, Menezes S, Matsuda SB, Moore A, Mosley Austin AN, Dewsbury BM, Feliú-Mójer MI, McDuffie KWB, Moore K, Reich CA, Smith HM and Taylor C (2020) Science Communication Demands a Critical Approach That Centers Inclusion, Equity, and Intersectionality. Front. Commun. 5:2. doi: 10.3389/fcomm.2020.00002

Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2020.00002

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Comment

Sunshine Menezes and Katharine W. B. McDuffie are in the Department of Natural Resources Science.

Amelia Moore is with the Department of Marine Affairs.

Alycia N. Mosley Austin is with the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program.

Bryan M. Dewsbury and Cynthia Taylor are with the Department of Biological Sciences.

Kendall Moore is with the Harrington School of Communication Media.