Training Scientists in Communication Skills

Abstract

As western societies are becoming increasingly dependent on scientific and technological developments, scientists must be able to make this progress meaningful to different communities. However, science communication is still not part of the formal education of researchers. It is a key challenge to identify effective ways of training scientists in communication skills. This article gives an overview of the issues raised by putting into practice the training of scientists to communicate with a variety of audiences, ranging from the public, to the media and policy-makers, and discusses the challenges faced by Europe in the important task of promoting two-way communication between its scientists and its citizens