Digest

Mercedes-Mate Lind, lead editor of Ologies, interviews Ali Ward, the host of the podcast, about her career as a science communicator. The episode begins with a discussion of Ali's early interest in science, which was sparked by her childhood explorations of nature and her sister's entomologist boyfriend. Ali shares her journey through college, where she initially majored in biology but later switched to film and creative writing. She also discusses her passion for biological illustration and her admiration for Frank Netter, a renowned medical illustrator. The conversation then shifts to Ali's experiences as a broke artist in Los Angeles, where she sold her paintings at flea markets and even had one of her paintings purchased by Frankie Muniz from Malcolm in the Middle. Ali also talks about her foray into journalism, inspired by her father, a broadcast journalist, and her sister, a crime reporter. She shares her struggles with self-doubt and her eventual decision to pursue science communication. The episode delves into the challenges of science communication in a politically polarized world, with Ali discussing the importance of finding a voice that is authentic and engaging for adults. She emphasizes the need to connect with audiences on an emotional level and to provide context and understanding rather than simply delivering facts. Ali also shares her experiences as a volunteer docent at the LA Natural History Museum, which she credits with changing her perspective on science communication. The episode concludes with a discussion of the importance of community and collaboration in science communication, with Ali highlighting the role of her "nerd brigade" in supporting and inspiring her work. The episode also explores the challenges of producing a weekly science podcast, with Ali discussing the importance of finding a balance between providing accurate information and making the content engaging and accessible for listeners. The episode concludes with a discussion of the best and worst parts of being a science communicator, with Ali emphasizing the importance of staying curious, finding your voice, and being yourself. She also shares her experiences with imposter syndrome and the importance of not letting it hold you back from pursuing your dreams. The episode ends with a discussion of the importance of representation in science communication and the need to create a more inclusive and diverse field.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the episode and the guest, Ali Ward, the host of the podcast. Mercedes-Mate Lind, the lead editor, explains that she will be interviewing Ali about her career as a science communicator.

00:00:38

Thank You to Our Supporters

This Chapter expresses gratitude to the supporters of the podcast, including those who contribute on Patreon, those who participate in the Ologies Facebook group, and those who listen, subscribe, and leave reviews.

00:01:43

Andro Gagology

This Chapter introduces the term "Andro Gagology", which refers to adult learning or science communication for adults. Mercedes-Mate Lind explains the origin of the term and its connection to pedagogy, which refers to teaching children.

00:02:31

Ali Ward's Career Path

This Chapter delves into Ali Ward's career path, starting with her early interest in science and her childhood experiences. Ali shares her journey through college, her passion for biological illustration, and her experiences as a broke artist in Los Angeles. She also discusses her foray into journalism and her eventual decision to pursue science communication.

01:01:24

Listener Questions

This Chapter addresses listener questions about science communication for adults, navigating misinformation and pseudoscience, and the relationship between science education and political identity. Ali shares her insights on these topics, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, empathy, and providing context and understanding.

01:16:44

The Importance of Scientific Literature

This Chapter discusses the importance of scientific literature in fact-checking and understanding the scientific process. Ali encourages listeners to explore journal articles and to be aware of potential conflicts of interest and funding sources.

01:20:55

Empathy and Emotional Connections

This Chapter explores the role of empathy in science communication and the importance of understanding why people might resist accepting certain facts. Ali emphasizes the need to approach conversations with empathy and to avoid judgment.

00:08:26

Ali's College Years

This Chapter focuses on Ali's college years, where she initially majored in biology but later switched to film and creative writing. She discusses her struggles with self-doubt and her eventual decision to pursue science communication.

00:48:22

Ali's Master's Degree in Psychom

This Chapter discusses Ali's master's degree in psychom, which she obtained from Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario. Ali shares her experiences in the program and the key lessons she learned about science communication for adults.

00:52:46

Adult Learning Theory

This Chapter explores adult learning theory, specifically Malcolm Knowles's theory of andragogy. Ali explains the key differences between adult learning and childhood learning, emphasizing the need for adults to have a good reason to learn something new.

01:22:57

The Science of Changing Minds

This Chapter explores the science behind changing people's minds, particularly in the context of political beliefs and science communication. Ali and Mercedes discuss the role of the insular cortex and the amygdala in processing threats and how these brain structures can be activated when people are presented with information that challenges their core beliefs. They also discuss strategies for effectively communicating with people who hold different views, such as taking the temperature down, using moral reframing, and approaching conversations with empathy and understanding.

01:26:10

Interviewing Strategies

This Chapter delves into the strategies that Mercedes uses to interview guests on the Ologies podcast. She discusses her process for gathering and summarizing listener questions, her approach to interviewing guests, and her philosophy of asking uninformed questions to help the audience learn and connect with the expert. She also shares her experiences with imposter syndrome and how she uses it to her advantage by embracing her own lack of knowledge and using it as a way to connect with the audience.

01:31:42

Breaking into Science Communication

This Chapter addresses listener questions about breaking into science communication as a career path. Ali and Mercedes discuss the importance of curiosity, the value of taking classes, and the need to find your voice. They also emphasize that there is no one linear path to becoming a science communicator and that it is important to be yourself and to embrace your own unique perspective.

01:43:05

The Best and Worst Parts of Being a Science Communicator

This Chapter explores the best and worst parts of being a science communicator. Ali discusses the challenges of navigating a politically polarized world, the importance of staying inclusive, and the difficulty of managing social media. She also shares her favorite parts of the job, including the opportunity to learn new things, to connect with people, and to make science accessible and engaging for a wider audience.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is Andro Gagology and how does it relate to science communication?

  Andro Gagology is a term that refers to adult learning or science communication for adults. It is derived from the Greek words "Andro", meaning "adult male", and "agogo", meaning "leader of". It highlights the unique challenges and opportunities of communicating science to adults, who have different learning styles and motivations than children.

• How did Ali Ward's early experiences shape her interest in science communication?

  Ali's early experiences, including her childhood explorations of nature, her sister's entomologist boyfriend, and her volunteer work as a docent at the LA Natural History Museum, all contributed to her passion for science communication. These experiences helped her develop an appreciation for the wonder and complexity of the natural world and the importance of sharing that knowledge with others.

• What are some of the challenges of science communication in a politically polarized world?

  Science communication in a politically polarized world is challenging because people often resist accepting facts that threaten their beliefs or worldview. It is important to approach conversations with empathy, to provide context and understanding, and to avoid judgment. Ali emphasizes the need to connect with audiences on an emotional level and to make science relevant to their lives.

• What are some key takeaways from Ali Ward's master's degree in psychom?

  Ali's master's degree in psychom taught her that information alone is not enough to get people invested in something. It is important to understand your audience, tailor your message to their needs and interests, and make emotional connections. She also learned that adults need to have a good reason to learn something new and that they are more likely to be engaged when they feel like they are participating in the learning process.

• How can science communicators help people be more comfortable with science as an ongoing process?

  Science communicators can help people be more comfortable with science as an ongoing process by encouraging them to explore scientific literature, to be aware of potential conflicts of interest and funding sources, and to understand the basics of statistics. They can also emphasize the importance of empathy and the need to understand why people might resist accepting certain facts.

• What is the relationship between science education and political identity?

  Research has shown that people's political beliefs can influence their perceptions of risk, even when they have access to the same scientific information. This is because people often use their reasoning skills to support their existing beliefs, even if those beliefs are not supported by evidence. This highlights the importance of science communication that is not fear-based and that provides context and understanding.

• How does Ali Ward approach science communication in a way that is both engaging and informative?

  Ali Ward approaches science communication with a combination of humor, authenticity, and a deep passion for her subject matter. She uses her own experiences and personal anecdotes to connect with listeners on an emotional level and to make science relevant to their lives. She also emphasizes the importance of community and collaboration, encouraging listeners to participate in the conversation and to share their own insights.

• What is the role of community and collaboration in science communication?

  Community and collaboration are essential for science communication. They provide a sense of support, inspiration, and shared purpose. Ali highlights the role of her "nerd brigade" in supporting and inspiring her work and emphasizes the importance of creating a space where people can share ideas, resources, and encouragement.

• What are some of the challenges of producing a weekly science podcast?

  Producing a weekly science podcast is a demanding task that requires a lot of time, effort, and dedication. Ali discusses the challenges of finding time to research, write, record, and edit episodes while also maintaining a full-time job and a personal life. She also highlights the importance of finding a balance between providing accurate information and making the content engaging and accessible for listeners.

• What are some of the challenges of being a science communicator in a politically polarized world?

  Ali discusses the challenges of navigating a politically polarized world, the importance of staying inclusive, and the difficulty of managing social media. She also shares her experiences with imposter syndrome and the importance of not letting it hold you back from pursuing your dreams.

Show Notes