Scientists: Engage the Public!

ABSTRACT Scientists must communicate about science with public audiences to promote an understanding of complex issues that we face in our technologically advanced society. Some scientists may be concerned about a social stigma or “Sagan effect” associated with participating in public communication. Recent research in the social sciences indicates that public communica-tion by scientists is not a niche activity but is widely done and can be beneficial to a scientist’s career. There are a variety of ap-proaches that scientists can take to become active in science communication. Science and technology play important roles in the nature andquality of our lives, so it is not surprising that as a society, we are increasingly challenged by problems that have a scientific com-ponent. Individual decisions about vaccines, regional choices about water availability, or global agreements about climate change all require that science have a voice during the decision-making process. The microbial sciences touch upon such a wide range of issues that scientists in those fields are particularly rele-vant to these discussions. If scientists do not participate in these dialogues, then others will fill the void and the information may not be accurate or science based. Scientists must communicat