Science communication: viewpoints, policies and regulations

Science communication is the sharing of scientific knowledge and evidence with the public, governments, industries and communities in ways that people can understand and use. It can shape individual viewpoints, encourage behaviour change and provide evidence for policies and regulations.

A useful reasoning chain is: scientific evidence → communication to an audience → improved understanding or changed viewpoint → action, policy or regulation.

Effective communication should be accurate, clear, transparent, accessible and appropriate for its audience. It can influence decisions, but it does not guarantee agreement or replace consultation.

Two-way communication allows First Nations knowledge holders, scientists and policymakers to share knowledge and viewpoints rather than treating communication as one-directional. Caring for Country and Place initiatives can contribute place-based ecological knowledge and influence land-management policy.

Key idea: respectful exchange can lead to better-informed policies while keeping knowledge connected to its cultural authority and context.

Scientists communicate population trends, threats and ecosystem impacts through reports, talks, maps and public campaigns. When evidence shows that a species is declining, governments and communities may introduce catch limits, hunting limits, protected areas or recovery programs.

Communication does not itself guarantee recovery; monitoring, compliance and effective policy are still required.

Dame Jane Goodall has communicated long-term chimpanzee research and conservation messages through books, documentaries, talks and education programs. Her communication helped change public viewpoints about primates, animal welfare, habitat loss and conservation and contributed to broader support for conservation action.

Cyclone tracking, storm-surge forecasts, heatwave warnings and hazard maps communicate risk before and during dangerous events. Governments can use these messages to develop warning systems, evacuation routes, emergency plans and public-safety guidelines.

Good hazard communication explains both the likelihood and possible consequences of a hazard so people know what action to take.

Contemporary First Nations astronomers and astrophysicists, including Wiradjuri astrophysicist and science communicator Kirsten Banks, communicate First Nations astronomy knowledges through public talks, education and digital media. This can broaden public understanding and encourage more inclusive science education.

Communication about the effects of plastics, metals, organic waste and other materials on waterways, soil and wildlife can influence community behaviour. Councils may respond with household waste-separation rules, recycling services, collection programs and education campaigns.

• Clear language without unnecessary jargon.
• Accurate graphs, maps, diagrams and other visuals.
• Transparent sources, methods and limitations.
• Communication matched to the audience and accessible to different communities.
• Two-way engagement where communities can ask questions and contribute knowledge.
• Careful communication of risk and uncertainty without exaggerating or hiding it.

AC9S7H04: explore the role of science communication in informing individual viewpoints and community policies and regulations.

• E1: two-way First Nations communication and Caring for Country/Place initiatives.
• E2: endangered-species communication and fishing/hunting limits.
• E3: Dame Jane Goodall’s research communication and conservation.
• E4: reporting cyclones, tidal surges and heatwaves and the development of warning/evacuation policies.
• E5: contemporary First Nations astronomy communicators such as Kirsten Banks.
• E6: communication of waste impacts and recycling/waste-separation policies.

1. What is the main purpose of science communication?

   To help people understand scientific evidence so they can form informed viewpoints and make or support decisions, policies and regulations.

2. Why is two-way communication with First Nations Australians important?

   It allows scientific and First Nations knowledges and viewpoints to be shared respectfully, helping policies use relevant evidence and place-based knowledge.

3. How can Caring for Country communication influence policy?

   It can communicate land-management knowledge and community viewpoints to decision-makers, informing policies for caring for Country and Place.

4. How can endangered-species communication lead to regulations?

   Evidence of population decline can help justify catch limits, hunting limits or other conservation measures designed to reduce pressure on a species.

5. How did Jane Goodall’s communication influence viewpoints?

   Her public communication made long-term chimpanzee research and conservation issues accessible to large audiences, increasing awareness of animal welfare, habitat loss and conservation.

6. Why are scientifically informed weather warnings important?

   They translate forecasts and risk information into practical messages that help communities prepare, evacuate and reduce harm.

7. How can Kirsten Banks influence science education?

   By communicating First Nations astronomy knowledges to broad audiences, she can increase recognition and encourage their inclusion in science education.

8. How can waste-impact communication influence community policy?

   When communities understand how waste affects ecosystems, councils can use that evidence to support waste-separation, recycling and education programs.

9. What makes scientific evidence easier to understand?

   Clear language, well-designed visuals, relevant examples and transparent explanation of sources and limits.

10. Does effective science communication guarantee policy change?

    No. It can inform viewpoints and decisions, but policies also depend on consultation, values, resources, politics and practical constraints.

• Saying communication guarantees a particular behaviour or policy outcome.
• Confusing communication of evidence with the evidence itself.
• Assuming public trust means people must accept every scientific recommendation.
• Treating First Nations knowledge as one universal system rather than diverse and place-based.
• Listing a communicator without explaining how their communication affected viewpoints, education, policy or regulation.
• Ignoring the audience, source, clarity or limitations of a scientific message.

Core idea

Science communication connects evidence with people and decisions. It can influence individual viewpoints, community behaviour, policies and regulations.

E1 — Caring for Country

Two-way communication means sharing knowledge and viewpoints both ways. It supports respectful, place-based policy development.

E2 — Endangered species

Population evidence → public/government understanding → catch or hunting limits and conservation policies.

E3 — Jane Goodall

Research communication through public media can change viewpoints and increase support for conservation.

E4 — Weather events

Forecasts, warnings and hazard maps → better risk understanding → warning systems and evacuation policies.

E5 — Kirsten Banks

First Nations science communicators can promote First Nations astronomy knowledges and broaden science education.

E6 — Waste

Evidence about environmental impacts → community awareness → waste separation, recycling and related policies.

Communication tools

• Reports and infographics
• Graphs, maps and diagrams
• Documentaries and public talks
• Social and digital media
• Emergency warnings
• Citizen-science and community-engagement programs

Exam-ready phrases

• “Science communication translates evidence for a specific audience.”
• “Communication can influence a viewpoint without forcing agreement.”
• “Two-way communication allows knowledge and perspectives to be exchanged.”
• “Clear risk communication helps people connect scientific evidence with appropriate action.”
• “Policy decisions can be informed by science communication but also involve community values and practical considerations.”

The Australian Curriculum code is exact; international entries are broad closest-topic mappings.

• AC9S7H03 — Scientific responses and their impacts
• AC9S7U01 — Classification and diversity of life