As a science communication scholar, I have always been a strong advocate for vaccination and have placed my trust in medical experts. However, as a new mother, I have found myself facing new emotions and concerns as I navigate decisions regarding my son’s health.
Vaccines have been proven to be highly effective with minimal risks of side effects. Despite this, I can understand why some parents may hesitate when bombarded with information, especially online, regarding potential vaccine risks. One of the reasons why vaccine misinformation can be so convincing is the use of storytelling by antivaccine advocates. They often share powerful personal experiences of childhood illnesses or alleged vaccine side effects. Unfortunately, scientists do not often utilize the same storytelling strategies to counter this misinformation.
In my book “Science v. Story: Narrative Strategies for Science Communicators,” I delve into the use of stories to discuss controversial science topics, including vaccination, in a compelling manner. Stories typically consist of characters, action, sequence, scope, a storyteller, and content to varying degrees. This means that a story can take the form of a book, a news article, a social media post, or even a conversation with a friend.
During my research for the book, I discovered that stories about science tend to be broad and abstract, while science-skeptical stories are specific and concrete. By adopting some of the strategies used in science-skeptical stories, I argue that evidence-backed stories about science can effectively combat misinformation.
To make science stories more engaging and tangible, it is essential to incorporate human characters into the narrative. Science stories often lack human characters, so including scientists making discoveries or individuals impacted by scientific topics can make the stories more relatable.
Furthermore, explaining science as a process can help people understand that science is not always objective and unbiased. It involves choices, missteps, and biases. By walking people through the sequence of how science is conducted and why researchers reach certain conclusions, science communicators can build trust in the scientific process.
Additionally, it is crucial to include topics that people care about in science stories. While scientific topics are important, they may not always be the public’s top priorities. By weaving connections to higher-priority topics, such as the economy or public safety, stories about scientific issues can resonate more with audiences.
Ultimately, everyone has the potential to be a science communicator, whether they are a scientist, a parent discussing their medical experiences, or an individual sharing information online. By incorporating storytelling elements into science communication, we can strengthen our messages and engage a wider audience in important scientific topics.
