How to get your feet wet in public engagement: Perspectives from freshwater scientists

Abstract

Freshwater scientists, like scientists in other fields, are increasingly participating in public engagement with science (PES) activities. Published surveys and analyses of keywords in abstracts associated with the Society for Freshwater Science journal and annual meetings indicate that many scientists are interested in pursuing PES opportunities but find it challenging to get started because of limited time, training, collaborators, or resources. Given these issues, the objective of this paper is to synthesize strategies to break down barriers to effective and successful PES involvement by scientists. We present 3 examples of PES activities to highlight various pathways to successful PES. Additionally, we examine the practicalities of scientist engagement with the public and opportunities for creating those interactions. Drawing upon our experiences and existing literature, we recommend that scientists who are beginning with PES efforts: 1) start small with manageable projects; 2) leverage skills and resources that they already have as scientists, communicators, and community members; 3) nurture their own network of scientists, educators, and the broader community; and 4) design their PES activities for the target audience. We encourage scientists to be experimental with their PES activities, to observe the outcomes, and to learn from and share their experiences.