What's New and What's Next in Ocean Science Communication

Ocean science only protects the ocean when people outside the lab hear it. Dr. David Shiffman, interdisciplinary marine conservation biologist and author of Why Sharks Matter, returns to the show to preview the symposium he organized for the International Marine Conservation Congress: Ocean Science and Conservation Communication: What's New and What's Next. Andrew is one of the presenters.

Dave explains why IMCC stands apart from other scientific meetings, with government officials, practitioners, advocates, teachers and artists in the same room as researchers, and why the tools and the policy landscape for science communication have shifted so much in the last few years. He shares his goals for the symposium, including a peer-reviewed paper the speakers and focus group will write together on what works now and what the community should stop doing.

The conversation then gets personal. Dave talks about starting on TikTok and Reels, lowering his own polish standards, and turning his online intro to marine biology course into short clips. Andrew and Dave dig into why audiences are craving real human voices as AI-generated ocean videos and voice clones spread, and why more communicators from more places makes the whole field stronger.

Takeaways

• IMCC brings scientists, decision makers, advocates and educators together, so research reaches people who can act on it.
• Science communication is a skill set most STEM graduate programs never teach.
• Treat non-expert audiences with respect; they are experts in other fields.
• The symposium aims to produce a peer-reviewed paper of shared principles for ocean communicators.
• Short-form video rewards conversational, unpolished delivery more than studio perfection.
• Audiences are seeking authentic human voices as AI fakes and voice clones spread.
• More communicators from more regions and cultures helps everyone reach new audiences.
• Networking builds the relationships that help get protected areas declared and species listed.