Effective Communication with the General Public About Scientific Research That Requires the Care and Use of Animals

Involvement of animals in scientific research can elicit strong emotions and responses from some members of the public, in part because the information they receive is inadequate. There is therefore an urgent need for scientists who conduct research involving animals to communicate more effectively about their work. To identify strategies for effective communication, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a workshop in December 19-20, 2023, entitled Effective Communication with the General Public About Scientific Research That Requires the Care and Use of Animals. The workshop focused on enhancing public understanding of scientific research with animals, how research animals are cared for and treated, the ethical considerations that are involved in these activities, and how research with animals has contributed to improvements in animal and human health. Participants explored characteristics of effective communication, ways to integrate information from scientists into media for diverse public audiences, and opportunities to address challenges in understanding research with animals.

Table of Contents

Front Matter Overview Introduction and Context Navigating Interactions with the Media, Science Writers, Nonscientists, and Institutional Leadership Challenges and Opportunities in Communicating About Research Activities Involving Animals Openness in Communication: Principles, Experiences, and Considerations Closing Discussion Appendix A: Statement of Task Appendix B: Workshop Agenda