National Center for Sustainable Transportation

Communication between scientists and policymakers is critical for developing effective policies grounded in scientific evidence. However, actual communication between these two groups is often difficult, due to differences in training, communication styles, and motivation. While numerous “best practices” guides provide advice on science communication, many of these recommendations are based on personal experience rather than empirical data. To remedy this gap in the literature, researchers at the University of California, Davis conducted a literature review of scholarship on best practices in science communication, with an emphasis on finding reports based on empirical data rather than personal experience. The researchers synthesized their findings into a set of best practices for science communication and considered how scientific reputation affects engagement in the policy process.

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