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Science with Impact: How to Engage People, Change Practice, and Influence Policy
Will you please just listen to me? If you are a scientist, or a fan of science, have you ever wondered why your fact-based explanation of ground-breaking scientific research falls flat with family, friends, and the general public? Do you want your research to matter to society and not simply be confined to arcane discussion in academic circles? Social science communicator Anne Helen Toomey argues that science today faces a public-relations crisis due to its historic emphasis on “trickle-down research,” and she calls for a whole-scale change in how scientists engage with the world. This book is a guide for the scientific community and its allies to build public trust in science—and scientists—again.
In this accessible volume, Toomey unpacks why “facts” mean different things to different people and how science-based attitudes and behaviors spread. Using humor, stories, and down-to-earth examples from her own science journey, she explains why seemingly straightforward evidence can sometimes feel irrelevant, or even threatening, to a skeptical public. This practical, how-to guide will help scientists think more carefully about the choices they make even before collecting data. It explores how researchers and others who work with science can address public distrust, communicate about uncertainty, and engage with policymakers for real-world impact.
Science with Impact argues that science can—and should—make a meaningful difference in society. It offers hope and guidance to those of us who wish to take the steps to make it so.
In this accessible volume, Toomey unpacks why “facts” mean different things to different people and how science-based attitudes and behaviors spread. Using humor, stories, and down-to-earth examples from her own science journey, she explains why seemingly straightforward evidence can sometimes feel irrelevant, or even threatening, to a skeptical public. This practical, how-to guide will help scientists think more carefully about the choices they make even before collecting data. It explores how researchers and others who work with science can address public distrust, communicate about uncertainty, and engage with policymakers for real-world impact.
Science with Impact argues that science can—and should—make a meaningful difference in society. It offers hope and guidance to those of us who wish to take the steps to make it so.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 3, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 19, 2025
It may be a cliché that many scientists are bad communicators - but that doesn't make it untrue. All too often, scientists either don't want to communicate outside their own circle, or are very bad at it - but the reality is, both from a funding viewpoint and to make sure science has a positive impact (a keyword in Anne Helen Toomey's assessment of how scientists should look at their communication) we need scientists to be better at engagement.
The opening of the book leans quite heavily on Star Trek, which might divide audiences a bit - one danger in communication is thinking that everyone else shares your enthusiasms, though as it happens, it works for me. (Incidentally, I don't know how a self-designated Trekker, apparently a 'more distinguished term' than Trekkie, could refer to the 'USS Starship Enterprise', a bit like referring to Dr Doctor Toomey.)
There's an element here that's similar to books like How to Talk to a Science Denier, looking at why some don't follow scientific consensus (Toomey has an excellent example in a US island that's disappearing due to climate change impacts, but the residents won't accept this). But there's more to Toomey's book. Science denier challenging books (and many scientists) use an approach that approximates to 'My view is right, can't you see that, stupid?' But Toomey suggests we can learn lessons from the eradication of polio from India in a very short timescale by listening rather than lecturing. And that we need to concentrate more on social influence than on straight information like the leaflets beloved of health services, or catchy slogans. The two keys, she suggests are direct contact with people with appropriate scientific views and redundancy in provision (with, of course, an appropriate ability and attitude in communicating to others with different starting points).
There's plenty more, for example, on the importance of researchers sharing information with those who are involved in their area of study (for example environmentalists giving useful information to farmers). It's not unreasonable for the non-scientists to ask 'what do I get out of this?' especially when the science is funded by the public. Toomey also looks at peer reviews, ways to communicate and the importance of moving from the idea that science proves things to a better understanding of uncertainty.
There's relatively little here on better writing, which is perhaps the biggest omission. Toomey rightly emphasises that better writing is not enough - but the fact remains that not only are most scientists' attempts to communicate with the public poor, the majority of scientific papers are badly written as writing per se. I may be be biased, but I think scientists could make more use of science writers to communicate with the wider public. Overall, though, an important and thoughtful contribution to the debate on both how get the message of science across and how to ensure it results in appropriate action.
The opening of the book leans quite heavily on Star Trek, which might divide audiences a bit - one danger in communication is thinking that everyone else shares your enthusiasms, though as it happens, it works for me. (Incidentally, I don't know how a self-designated Trekker, apparently a 'more distinguished term' than Trekkie, could refer to the 'USS Starship Enterprise', a bit like referring to Dr Doctor Toomey.)
There's an element here that's similar to books like How to Talk to a Science Denier, looking at why some don't follow scientific consensus (Toomey has an excellent example in a US island that's disappearing due to climate change impacts, but the residents won't accept this). But there's more to Toomey's book. Science denier challenging books (and many scientists) use an approach that approximates to 'My view is right, can't you see that, stupid?' But Toomey suggests we can learn lessons from the eradication of polio from India in a very short timescale by listening rather than lecturing. And that we need to concentrate more on social influence than on straight information like the leaflets beloved of health services, or catchy slogans. The two keys, she suggests are direct contact with people with appropriate scientific views and redundancy in provision (with, of course, an appropriate ability and attitude in communicating to others with different starting points).
There's plenty more, for example, on the importance of researchers sharing information with those who are involved in their area of study (for example environmentalists giving useful information to farmers). It's not unreasonable for the non-scientists to ask 'what do I get out of this?' especially when the science is funded by the public. Toomey also looks at peer reviews, ways to communicate and the importance of moving from the idea that science proves things to a better understanding of uncertainty.
There's relatively little here on better writing, which is perhaps the biggest omission. Toomey rightly emphasises that better writing is not enough - but the fact remains that not only are most scientists' attempts to communicate with the public poor, the majority of scientific papers are badly written as writing per se. I may be be biased, but I think scientists could make more use of science writers to communicate with the wider public. Overall, though, an important and thoughtful contribution to the debate on both how get the message of science across and how to ensure it results in appropriate action.
May 9, 2025
A must read! “There is No Line in the Sand Between Science and Society” p224 Science with Impact: How to Engage People, Change Practice, and Influence Policy
In today's world, where scientific discourse is increasingly polarized and misinformation spreads rapidly, this book offers a timely exploration of the broader societal struggle between evidence-based reasoning and the pervasive influence of false narratives. Science with Impact eloquently addresses how the wonders of science are often lost on the general public, as scientists frequently fall short in engaging society. While it may feel like scientists purposefully safeguard their discoveries behind the paywalls of scientific journals and the jargon of scientific discourse, they are adhering to the principles of scientific discourse learned through their training—publishing all of their discoveries in complicated jargon behind the paywalls of scientific journals.
Throughout this book, Toomey emphasizes that scientists genuinely want to share the marvels of their findings with anyone interested but lack the training and skills to effectively communicate their research discoveries to the general public. This gap in science communication skills leads to a disconnect, where the public perceives scientists and their science as inaccessible and distant.
The book serves as a guide on what exemplary scientific communication could look like in an ideal world where scientists not only share their discoveries but also the driving force behind why they do what they do. While most scientists are driven by insatiable curiosity and a passion for learning all they can about their particular area of study, this is completely lacking in traditional scientific discourse. Science with Impact advocates for training scientists not only in the technical aspects of their work but also in the art of science communication. The author argues that effective science communication should be a two-way dialogue based on listening and connection between scientists and the public. By fostering two-way dialogue and listening to the needs of the public, scientists can bridge the gap and make the profound impact of their discoveries more accessible and engaging.
This book is a call to action for scientists to embrace their role as communicators and to work towards a future where science and society are seamlessly intertwined through mutual understanding and respect.
In today's world, where scientific discourse is increasingly polarized and misinformation spreads rapidly, this book offers a timely exploration of the broader societal struggle between evidence-based reasoning and the pervasive influence of false narratives. Science with Impact eloquently addresses how the wonders of science are often lost on the general public, as scientists frequently fall short in engaging society. While it may feel like scientists purposefully safeguard their discoveries behind the paywalls of scientific journals and the jargon of scientific discourse, they are adhering to the principles of scientific discourse learned through their training—publishing all of their discoveries in complicated jargon behind the paywalls of scientific journals.
Throughout this book, Toomey emphasizes that scientists genuinely want to share the marvels of their findings with anyone interested but lack the training and skills to effectively communicate their research discoveries to the general public. This gap in science communication skills leads to a disconnect, where the public perceives scientists and their science as inaccessible and distant.
The book serves as a guide on what exemplary scientific communication could look like in an ideal world where scientists not only share their discoveries but also the driving force behind why they do what they do. While most scientists are driven by insatiable curiosity and a passion for learning all they can about their particular area of study, this is completely lacking in traditional scientific discourse. Science with Impact advocates for training scientists not only in the technical aspects of their work but also in the art of science communication. The author argues that effective science communication should be a two-way dialogue based on listening and connection between scientists and the public. By fostering two-way dialogue and listening to the needs of the public, scientists can bridge the gap and make the profound impact of their discoveries more accessible and engaging.
This book is a call to action for scientists to embrace their role as communicators and to work towards a future where science and society are seamlessly intertwined through mutual understanding and respect.
April 11, 2025
Dr. Anne Toomey has had a major impact on my professional life—first as a conservation scientist and now as a science educator, the lens through which I’ve been absorbing her current book Science with Impact.
For the most part, a scientific career is one of passion. Folks get into science because they like a good puzzle, enjoy producing knowledge, and want—hope—that their work will make a difference. Dr. Toomey unpacks this desire for “impact”—what it means, who defines it, how it’s measured, and for whom. She pushes us to examine not just the outcomes of science, but the motivations behind it: where science succeeds in making a difference . . . and where it might fall short. These are not academic questions. These are the brass tacks by which success is measured.
The book challenges—and offers suggestions for—how scientists and institutions might apply scientific thinking to the very idea of “impact” itself. It interrogates mismatches between intent and outcome and explores the importance of participatory practices, democratizing science, valuing alternative knowledge systems, and recognizing the power of social networks at every stage of the research process.
We live in a moment of increasing isolation and atomization. I see Anne’s book as a call to arms for scientists to reflect on that reality in their own work. It doesn’t stop at tearing down the ivory tower—it asks what it would mean for science to set up shop in the corner store, and who doesn’t need - and benefit from - a corner store.
For the most part, a scientific career is one of passion. Folks get into science because they like a good puzzle, enjoy producing knowledge, and want—hope—that their work will make a difference. Dr. Toomey unpacks this desire for “impact”—what it means, who defines it, how it’s measured, and for whom. She pushes us to examine not just the outcomes of science, but the motivations behind it: where science succeeds in making a difference . . . and where it might fall short. These are not academic questions. These are the brass tacks by which success is measured.
The book challenges—and offers suggestions for—how scientists and institutions might apply scientific thinking to the very idea of “impact” itself. It interrogates mismatches between intent and outcome and explores the importance of participatory practices, democratizing science, valuing alternative knowledge systems, and recognizing the power of social networks at every stage of the research process.
We live in a moment of increasing isolation and atomization. I see Anne’s book as a call to arms for scientists to reflect on that reality in their own work. It doesn’t stop at tearing down the ivory tower—it asks what it would mean for science to set up shop in the corner store, and who doesn’t need - and benefit from - a corner store.
September 1, 2025
My role within the non-profit organization I work, has changed and now I am also responsible for influencing policy within a few states. During a meeting I asked, “What does a policy win look like? How will we know our work in shaping policy has been successful?”
This book has the answers to what influencing policy looks like and how to go about making it happen.
I feel like I have a blueprint now for influencing policy in my area. This book speaks in science but the lessons for shaping are applicable to all subject areas.
The writing was concise, contextual, and the stories solidified the messaging. I cannot recommend this book enough.
This book has the answers to what influencing policy looks like and how to go about making it happen.
I feel like I have a blueprint now for influencing policy in my area. This book speaks in science but the lessons for shaping are applicable to all subject areas.
The writing was concise, contextual, and the stories solidified the messaging. I cannot recommend this book enough.
June 1, 2025
A book that suffers from what I claimed to be helping people address. The subtitle starts with "How to engage people" but the book hides the positive things in far to dry and long a series of anecdotes about the author's own background. It needed to be simpler and to the point. Both academics and those of use who support and push science need to be better as communicating why it's important and should be trusted, but this book makes that difficult. It's a nice story of her background, but misses the goal.
March 5, 2025
SCIENCE WITH IMPACT is an extremely tough-minded approach to a difficult problem of communicating with a target audience. It’s subtitle — how to engage people, change practice and influence policy — perfectly summarizes its targets and achievements.
May 2, 2025
This book is a delight. It’s both well-evidenced and highly readable, which is no mean feat. Even more than that, though, it gives words to the profound transformation we need in science communication right now. I’ve been recommending it to all my science buddies, but also I think it would be a helpful read for anyone who’s ever argued about climate change or COVID vaccines with a family member and felt like they got nowhere. 10/10 would recommend.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews