A forum on the Science Communication Responsibility of Young Scientists was held on November 17 in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, as part of the 2024 World Young Scientist Summit (WYSS).
Experts, young scientists, and science communicators from leading institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang University, Soochow University, and East China Normal University convened to discuss the critical role of science communication in the modern era. The forum also explored ways for young scientists to better embrace and fulfill their social responsibilities in this domain.
The event featured keynote presentations, thematic speeches, and two roundtable discussions. Participants unanimously recognized science communication as central to building an innovative nation and advancing Chinese modernization.
They emphasized the importance of integrating efforts to enhance public scientific literacy and prioritizing science popularization into the broader mission of strengthening the nation's capabilities in science and technology.
“Science communication is a fundamental social responsibility for young scientists,” said Zhou Jianqiang, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Society for Science and Technology Journalism, in his opening remarks. He underscored the necessity for young scientists to actively embrace and contribute to this mission.
The scientific literacy of Chinese citizens remains relatively low, noted Ji Lianggang, an associate researcher at the Zhejiang Provincial Science Communication Center, during his thematic speech at the forum. He highlighted that while 27.9% of citizens in the United States and 35.1% in Sweden demonstrate high scientific literacy, the figure in Zhejiang Province stood at 17.8% in 2023, with Wenzhou slightly lower at 16.5%.
Experts and young scientists at the forum identified several challenges and bottlenecks hindering science popularization efforts, including insufficient platforms, narrow scope of outreach, and limited engagement with diverse target audiences. They called for greater support from relevant departments and proactive efforts by young scientists to address these issues. The speakers stressed that effective science communication must present scientific knowledge in ways that are accessible and engaging to the public.
“In today’s highly specialized academic environment, every scientist’s work not only requires dissemination but also benefits from it,” said Jiang Xuefeng, a professor at the School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, in an interview with VOC. He emphasized that science communication serves as the cornerstone for interdisciplinary collaboration and international cooperation, making it an essential tool for advancing both scientific research and its societal impact.
The increasing complexity of global industries and the deepening of technological cores highlight the need for continuous science popularization to bridge gaps between industry, academia, and research, said Jiang Xuefeng. He emphasized that social governance, industrial development, and investment planning require a thorough understanding of technology, making industrial science popularization essential.
Jiang also stressed the importance of forward-looking science education for children, advocating for a systematic approach to science popularization. He noted that young scientists, as leaders in science, should also lead in science communication. By driving technological innovation and establishing collaborative science popularization systems, they can make scientific knowledge more accessible.
He proposed that platforms like WYSS initiate systematic programs such as "WYSS Science Popularization into Schools," where prominent young scientists from around the world visit secondary schools across China. This would not only enhance the summit’s influence but also deepen global scientists’ understanding of China, expose Chinese youth to cutting-edge global science, and foster meaningful exchanges between Chinese and international scientists.
Source: VOC
