I want to introduce you to my blog, which is mainly going to focus on my journey in learning how to communicate science. The few people who know me can testify to how nerve-racking it is for me to write publicly, let alone own a blog! But by undertaking this course, I hope to learn how to be comfortable in my writing.

As an aspiring scientist, the primary focus of my training has been on how to carry out experiments, procedures, analysis of data and draw conclusions that are mainly presented to scientific audiences. But the reality is, this information is not just meant for scientists but the general public as well. So how do we translate the research data into information that can benefit the larger audience? In other words, how do we communicate science effectively?

Before I attended my first class on the subject, my obvious reasoning to this question was to simplify our language in both writing and public speaking to engage everyone. After the lecture, I was honestly impressed and learned that we must be mindful of the audience we are conveying the message to as well. Is it to politicians? The media? Students?, the approaches used must suit the target group. During the course we will be engaged in live presentations, video production, blogging all of which are to build on our skills in better communicating. Through communicating science, we could advise governments on health policies, engage the public on current scientific developments and help them make healthy informed decisions. Am i considering taking it up as a career? Certainly. Maybe. We will find out.

As this journey unravels, I hope to step out of my comfort zone, try to learn new experiences, improve on my writing and speaking, but mainly learn to keep going even when it gets overwhelming.