Critical Science Communication

An approach to science communication that emphasizes questioning assumptions, examining power relations, and attending to the social and political dimensions of how science is communicated. Critical Science Communication doesn't just transmit scientific findings; it also communicates about the context, limits, and politics of those findings. It asks: who funded this research? What are its limitations? How might it be used? What perspectives are missing? Critical Science Communication is science communication with its eyes open, aware of its own role in shaping public understanding and public policy.

Example: "The journalist practiced Critical Science Communication: she didn't just report findings; she also reported who funded them, what limitations existed, what alternatives were being studied. Her readers were better informed—not just about what was known, but about how it came to be known."

by Abzugal March 9, 2026

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