Science Communication in a Crisis: An Insider's Guide

173 Pages·2023·7.191 MB·English

by  Christopher Reddy

Science Communication in a Crisis
Science Communication in a Crisis: An Insider’s Guide identifies the principal
challenges that scientists face when communicating with different stakeholder
groups and offers advice on how to navigate the maze of competing interests
and deliver actionable science when the clock is ticking.
If a scientist’s goal is to deliver content and expertise to the people who need
it, then other stakeholder groups—the media, the government, industry—need
to be considered as partners to collaborate with in order to solve problems.
Written by established scientist Christopher Reddy, who has been on the front
lines of several environmental crisis events, the book highlights ten specific
challenges and reflects on mistakes made and lessons learned. Reddy’s aim is not
to teach scientists how to ace an interview or craft a soundbite, rather, through
exploring several high-profile case studies, including the North Cape oil spill,
Deepwater Horizon, and the 2021 Sri Lanka shipping disaster, he presents a clear
pathway to effective and collaborative communication.
This book will be a great resource for junior and established scientists who
want to make an impact, as well as students in courses such as environmental
and science communication.
Christopher Reddy is a leader in the study of marine pollution and the
development of environmentally friendly industrial chemicals. A senior sci-
entist in the Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry at Woods
Hole Oceanographic Institution and faculty member of the MIT/WHOI
joint program in oceanography, Reddy has led numerous field operations
along coastlines, in the open ocean, and at the bottom of the sea to conduct
transformative research that crosses disciplines and guides policy decisions
worldwide.
“As a boots-on-the-ground scientist with an active research lab, Reddy’s voice
is one that many of our colleagues will identify with. This insider’s perspective
fills a gap in the lineup of existing science communication books.”
Andrew Dessler, Director, Texas Center for Climate Studies;
Reta A. Haynes Chair in Geosciences, Texas A&M
“Communicating science in a crisis is risky and challenging but incredibly
important. This book is generously packed with decades of experience and
wisdom from the front lines that can make us all better communicators in
times of need. A must for every scientist’s bookshelf.”
Dr. Asha de Vos, Founder/Executive Director, Oceanswell, Sri Lanka
“Focusing on how science communication transpires in real time, Reddy’s
insight from the trenches of recent environmental crises provides scientists
with a blueprint for success with a range of stakeholder groups, from respon-
ders to the affected public.”
Barbara Sherwood Lollar, Dr. Norman Keevil Chair in
Ore Deposits Geology, University of Toronto
Science Communication in a
Crisis
’
An Insider s Guide
Christopher Reddy
Cover image: © Natalie Renier and Riley Orlando
First published 2023
by Routledge
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2023 Christopher Reddy
The right of Christopher Reddy to be identified as author of this work has
been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright,
Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in
any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing
from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or
registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation
without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN: 978-1-032-37779-7 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-032-37780-3 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-34187-1 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003341871
Typeset in Times New Roman
by Taylor & Francis Books
To all the researchers, health-care professionals, and first respon-
ders who carried us through COVID-19 with their tireless service
and perseverance.

Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction 1
PART I
The Characters 7
1 Our Hero, the Scientist 9
2 The Supporting Cast: Villain … or Partner? 17
PART II
The Crisis 29
3 How a Crisis Response Unfolds: The Role of the Scientist 31
4 Who Writes the Narrative? 42
5 Winner Takes All 52
6 Piece by Piece 66
7 Countering Scientific Misinformation 78
8 Legal Challenges: The Erosion of the Scientific Deliberative
Process 88
PART III
Lessons Learned 99
9 Starting a Conversation: How to Talk about Science 101
10 Interdisciplinary Teamwork 110
viii Contents
11 How Communication Can Make You a Better Scientist 119
Conclusion: The Pathway to Success 130
Appendix 140
Index 153
Acknowledgments
Writing a book that spans some thirty years of personal interactions leads to
a long list of acknowledgments. I have been lucky and privileged to have had
the time, resources, and support to have been able to learn from, meet with,
and befriend a wide range of people. Few have been as fortunate.
My editor, Christopher Pitts, patiently listened to me during numerous
Zoom meetings, read through everything I wrote, asked the right questions,
and helped me to create a book that otherwise would have remained no more
than random scraps of papers on my desk, sitting beneath half-empty cans of
Diet Coke.
On a personal level, I am indebted to my parents: Joe and Sandra Reddy.
They were committed to their children and sacrificed so much to ensure that my
two sisters, four brothers, and I all had better lives than they did growing up. My
parents were polar opposites, self-made, and managed successful careers all
while raising us—along with the menagerie of lost souls who crashed on the
floor and joined us for dinner at the picnic table in our kitchen. My dad is a no-
nonsense gentleman, tenacious, and forever striving for excellence. He constantly
reminded us to do the right thing and contribute to society and along the way
taught a master class on leadership. My mom is easily one of the smartest and
most creative people I have ever known. While working as an ER nurse, she had
a legendary ability to remain calm under pressure and always had great stories to
tell after working double shifts over the weekend. While my siblings (and their
spouses) may not know exactly what I do, they have always been amazingly
supportive and loving: Maureen and Jon, Colleen and Ken, Joe and Cindy, Tom,
Dennis, and Jeanne, and Ryan and Melissa, and the late Kathy Reddy.
I am not a big fan of stereotypical depictions of scientists on TV shows and
in the cinema, but I do wish I had a DeLorean and the science and engi-
neering talent of Doc Brown. My first trip would have been back to 1976 to
see my ailing grandfather Conrad Bennett and spoil him with all of the
newest electronic gadgets. He was a techie before it was cool and kickstarted
my lifelong interest in understanding how things work. To my grandmother
Marion’s endless frustration, my grandfather taught me how to light a blow
torch, solder a pipe joint, and complete an electrical circuit before I was seven
years old.