Dr. Dreyer, President and CEO of AcademyHealth, recently wrote an opinion piece for The Washington Post. Aaron Evans Carroll argues that we must reevaluate our communication of science if we want it to guide sound policy. The common appeal to “follow the science” was intended to instill confidence; however, it frequently stifled discussion and ignored the complexity of public decision-making. “Science is evidence, not instruction,” Carroll writes. “It rarely provides a single, uncontested response.”
Dr. In a new interview with Julie Rovner that appeared on KFF Health News’ What the Health?, Carroll elaborated on these concepts. podcast, highlighting why separating science from policy, and communicating that distinction with humility, is essential to restoring trust. He emphasized the importance of listening, transparency, and empathy, lessons that are especially critical in today’s polarized environment.
This level of modesty, openness, and nuance is absolutely necessary for regaining faith in science, and AcademyHealth’s newest offering, Communicating to Build Trust, a four-week online course that will begin in the fall, focuses specifically on this aspect. Registration is now open for this highly practical course, which empowers researchers to confidently engage audiences beyond academia.
While remaining grounded in evidence, participants will investigate how to communicate uncertainty, address misinformation, present data more effectively, engage on social media, and build relationships with the media. With credibility under attack and politicization on the rise, researchers can’t afford to stay silent. This course offers the tools and support they need to become credible voices for facts, science, and evidence in the public sphere.
