How to Write About STEM (Even if You’re Not Technical)
There’s a stereotype out there that scientists aren’t good communicators. Holed up in their labs, wearing their safety goggles, talking to no one.
Don’t believe it. E.O. Wilson, Rachel Carson, Oliver Sacks — these are just a few of the many, many scientists who’ve put pen to paper, with results not just adequate, but poetic. Writing and science aren’t mutually exclusive.
And I’d argue that goes both ways.
Even if you haven’t studied science formally, there are ways to exercise your analytical muscles and become more STEM-literate. This becomes critical if, for example, you find yourself working in a creative role in a tech company (like me) or STEM department at a university (like I used to). You may be in marketing or communications, but you need a grasp on the science that you’re going to be writing about every day. And even if you do have a technical degree, science isn’t a monolith. A background in computer science may not do much for you on a team of materials engineers.
No matter your background, though, you have the tools to become a better science and tech communicator. Don’t underestimate your own skills, and don’t be afraid to dive in.
Diversify your reading diet
If you’re working in tech, get ready to dig into the field. Luckily, if you’re a marketer, this is what you do. You read, you research, you analyze, you communicate. Not just the business side, either. Don’t shy away from the white papers and the latest studies. If you’re going to work in the sciences, you need to gain a baseline comfort with how scientists communicate with each other. Ask your colleagues what they read — newsletters they subscribe to, industry books they’ve enjoyed. Immerse yourself in these topics, and don’t be intimidated if you don’t understand what’s being written about at first. If you’re new to the field, chances are you won’t. Listen. Be a sponge. And, most of all…
Cultivate an excitement about the unknown
There’s something thrilling about getting a front-row seat to things that are foreign to you. As a marketer in STEM, that’s what you’ve got. The discoveries that await you are endless. You’re going to be working with very smart people in a field different from your own, and you should view that as an opportunity to learn. Go to all of the meetings and events that you can. Pick up the lingo, and strike up conversations. The more people you talk to, the more you’ll get a sense of what the scientists and engineers you’re working with care about, and, like a journalist, that will help you develop an instinct for where the stories are. (And make your teammates more comfortable coming to you when they have a story of their own to share).
Rely on your fact checkers
As a writer, you’re used to checking your own work. Spelling, formatting, sources. Strong editing skills are par for the course. But when you’re writing about STEM topics, you need to accept that there are going to be some pieces that you just can’t fact check alone. Usually, there’s a natural choice of who to go to for help — if the article is based on someone’s research, ask that person to give it a once-over before you publish. If a scientist or engineer in your department wrote a draft, and you’re responsible for getting it ready for publication, make sure you also enlist at least one of the writer’s teammates to read it for technical accuracy. There’s going to be jargon you pick up the longer you work in any technical field, but never put the burden solely on yourself to make sure everything is correct — you need the eyes of someone fluent in the language, whether it’s thermofluidics or JavaScript.
Stay at the top of your own game
Although it’s important for you to become well-versed in whatever STEM field you’re working in, don’t feel like you’re lacking just because you don’t have a PhD. Your role exists for a reason, and never lose sight of the very specific skills you bring to the table. Writing, social media, video editing, audio editing, design — these are all skills that your team members may not have cultivated in their own career paths. Stay up to date on marketing tools and content, and make sure you’re connecting with other marketers at your company or university regularly to learn what’s new in the field and compare solutions and hacks.
Recognize that your timeline may be different from theirs
Science is all about precision, accuracy, and the confirmation of results. If you’re working with scientists, especially at a research institution, you need to be prepared for a slow timeline when it comes to communications. At an agency, private company, or publication, you may have honed the ability to turn projects around in an hour, even in minutes. In a research department, get ready for multiple edits from multiple stakeholders on everything from research articles to tweets. Adjust your expectations and plan accordingly.
In a tech company, the timeline may be sped up depending on the emphasis on autonomy and efficiency, and there may be room to be more experimental and turn content out more quickly (but never at the expense of accuracy). Read your surroundings to get a sense of how your team prefers to operate.
Don’t assume you’re the only good communicator in the room
As noted above, there are lots of great science and tech communicators out there. Chances are, you work with some of them. Learn who on your team likes to write, who’s on a podcast, who feels comfortable being on camera. As you get a sense of who has which strengths, you can create a network to draw from when it comes to creating content. Critically, you’re also a resource for those of your colleagues who want to strengthen their communication skills. Think about running workshops on how to craft a stellar LinkedIn post, for example, or how to go from idea to execution with a blog post. You have the tools. Empower your STEM colleagues with them.
When you find your niche as a science and tech communicator, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Whether you’re acting as a bridge from one scientist to another, or from an engineer to a lay person nurturing an interest in the field, you’re empowering the flow of ideas and furthering whichever field you’re working in. With a respect for precision and a sense of wonder, you can bring important stories to light.
This story originally appeared on LinkedIn on December 17, 2019.
