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Can scientists communicate with non-scientists?

By Tony Redpath @ MaRS
February 1, 2008
 
ent101 poster 2007 08

In last night’s Entrepreneurship 101 lecture by Dr. Bonnie Kuehl, Dr. Kuehl outlined her story regarding the creation of Scientific Insights® Consulting Group — a company that specializes in science communication. She clearly articulated that there is a market for intermediaries who help researchers/companies translate their science into a form suitable for non-scientists.

Why can’t all scientists do this? Are we somehow failing to give researchers communications skills? Do we fail society by not being able to convey the value, benefits and challenges associated with our research to all those who need to understand these issues in order to make scientifically sound policy decisions?

Question of the week:
I’m interested to hear from recent science graduates: do you think that you received adequate training in communication your science to the rest of the world?

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  • Jim Lynch

    I saw this first hand several years ago in the pharma industry and wrote an article in SCRIPT Magazine 1997, entitled “Where R&D Meets Marketing: Gaining a Competitive Edge.” The ability to communicate across the R&D/Commercial divide is paramount to getting funding, forming partnerships both internally and externally, and ultimately realizing the full commercial potential of ideas.

    For small emerging, highly technical commercial enterprise, if the educational institutions have not prepared your technical workforce to communicate effectively, many viable ideas will fall by the way side. It is incumbent on the companies whose future rests on constant innovation to ensure that their organization is constantly communicating across all functions. Organizations should establish systems to measure the effectiveness/ineffectiveness of communication.

    Dr. James Lynch
    jlynch@strategicaccess.net

Tony Redpath @ MaRS

Tony Redpath @ MaRS

As the VP of Partner Programs at MaRS, Tony ensures that our external and internal programs work together. Tony also advises entrepreneurs and high growth companies, particularly in environmental, advanced materials and manufacturing markets, with a special emphasis on mentoring and development of entrepreneurs.

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