What Does a Science Communicator Do?

When I meet someone new out in the real world, and they ask me what I do, I almost never say “science communicator.” It’d be the truth, but I’d also be met by a confused look from the person expecting a more mainstream response like “teacher” or “engineer.”

Usually I say something like, “I help conservation organizations with their marketing and communications,” which is close enough. But it doesn’t quite capture the full picture.

So let me try to explain it properly here: What is science communication, exactly? What does a science communicator actually do all day? And why did I choose this slightly odd career path?

Science communication is a big tent

“Science communicator” is itself a rather broad umbrella term. Any time you’re taking complex scientific concepts and making them accessible to people who aren’t experts in that field, congratulations — you’re doing science communication.

That could mean you’re:

A science journalist covering big new discoveries
A social media influencer making TikToks about astrophysics
A science blogger sharing your own research (or someone else’s) online
A museum educator leading school groups through exhibits
A podcaster interviewing researchers about their work
A documentary filmmaker bringing nature into people’s living rooms
A communications consultant helping organizations tell their stories

And yes, scientists themselves are often science communicators! Every time a scientist gives a conference talk, writes a lay summary for a grant, or explains their research at a party (they have to deal with the awkward “so what do you do?” conversation, too) — they’re communicating science.

The point is: there’s no one right way to do this. The field is wonderfully varied, and there’s room for all kinds of approaches, personalities, and career paths. A lot of great science communicators are doing their work on the side, while their day job keeps them busy in research or practicing medicine or doing something completely unrelated that pays the bills. As for me, I count myself lucky that I did “quit my day job” in a way, to do this full time.

So what do I do as a science communicator?

Good question. My particular flavor of science communication looks like this: I work directly with conservation organizations, nonprofits, and science-based groups to help them tell their stories more effectively.

Think of it this way: A science journalist might write one fantastic article about an organization’s work. They’ll interview the scientists, tour some field sites if they’re lucky, craft a compelling narrative, and publish it. It’s great exposure — for that moment.

But what happens after the article goes live? The organization still needs to:

Update their website so it actually explains what they do
Write monthly newsletters that people want to read
Post on social media without it feeling awkward or forced
Apply for grants (which requires storytelling, too)
Recruit volunteers, donors, and program participants
Communicate their impact to stakeholders

This is where I come in. Instead of parachuting in to tell their story once, I work with them over time to build their entire communications strategy. I help them figure out what to say, how to say it, and — critically — how to keep saying it consistently without burning out their staff.

Sometimes that means I’m writing blog posts or newsletters for them. Sometimes I’m coaching their team on storytelling. Sometimes I’m looking at their website analytics and saying, “Hey, nobody’s reading your blog — let’s fix that.” Sometimes I’m building workflows and systems so their marketing doesn’t fall apart the second someone goes on vacation.

(Sometimes it’s all of the above, depending on the week.)

Why I chose this path (instead of journalism or academia)

I loved being a science writer at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, reporting on the latest science news that mattered most for Wisconsin residents. And I loved being editor at Discover magazine, covering stories from outer space, to flamingos, to human gene editing. And I loved being a freelance science journalist, too — continuing my science news coverage but for a wider range of publications. But I kept noticing two things: the organizations most near and dear to my heart, whether they were boots-on-the-ground local conservation organizations or smaller research institutions with a mission for public outreach, were also the least likely to be in the news. And it wasn’t because their work wasn’t amazing, but because they didn’t have the time, skills, capacity, or frankly, desire to promote themselves effectively.

Meanwhile, I was watching brilliant scientists and conservationists burning themselves out trying to be marketing departments in addition to, you know, actually doing their jobs. Ecologists doubling as social media managers. Educators staying up late writing newsletters. Founders trying to wear every single hat.

It felt… inefficient? And kind of unfair?

So I started offering my skills directly to these organizations. And it turned out there was a real need for someone who understood science deeply (thank you, ecology Ph.D.) but could also think strategically about communications, build sustainable systems, and help organizations grow their impact.

I get to use my science background every single day. I get to work with people doing meaningful, mission-driven work. And I get to solve problems that go way beyond “write a good article” — I’m helping organizations I care about build capacity, strategy, and infrastructure that makes a lasting difference.

Finding your own #scicomm path

I know a good few of my readers are grad students or early-career scientists considering a break from academia. If that’s you, first of all, hi, welcome, I’m glad you’re here. I am always pleased to report live from these greener pastures. But if you’re here hoping to follow in my footsteps, I should mention my path to science communicator has been long and winding and probably not replicable.

But here’s the good news: there are so many ways to use your science background outside of academia. You could:

Go into science journalism and write for major outlets
Work in public affairs or policy
Join a science museum or nature center as an educator
Start a blog, YouTube channel, or podcast and build your own audience
Work in marketing or communications for a university, research institution, or company
Do what I do and consult directly with organizations

You don’t need a specific degree or certification to be a science communicator (though programs like the AAAS Mass Media Fellowship can be game-changers). Mostly, you just need curiosity, the ability to explain things clearly, and a willingness to learn as you go.

The world needs more science communicators

Whether you’re an organization trying to share your work with the world, or a scientist wondering if there’s a career path that lets you stay connected to science without doing bench work forever — I promise, there’s room for you here.

And if you’re in that first camp (the “should I hire a science communicator?” camp), let’s talk. I’d love to hear what you’re working on and how I might be able to help.

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