Communicating science to non-scientists is a skill that takes time to build, and honestly, it’s not something most of us are formally trained to do. As scientists, we’re taught how to write papers, present data, and explain our work to people within our field. But once you step outside of that space, everything changes.
Most people you talk to won’t have the same background knowledge, and that’s where things can get tricky. It’s easy to default to the way we’ve always communicated, using technical language, going into detail, and explaining things step by step. But that approach doesn’t always translate well outside of a scientific setting.
In reality, communicating science to non-scientists is less about showing everything you know and more about making sure the other person understands what you’re saying. And that often means simplifying your message, even if it feels a little uncomfortable at first.
Know Your Audience
One of the most important things I’ve learned is that how you explain something depends entirely on who you’re talking to. There isn’t a single way to communicate science that works for everyone.
Talking to a friend, a family member, or someone outside of STEM is very different from talking to another researcher. You have to adjust your language, your examples, and even the level of detail you include. Not knowing your audience can make even the most interesting topic feel confusing or hard to follow
It also helps to think about what the other person already knows, or what they might assume. Starting from their perspective makes the conversation feel more natural and helps you build up the explanation in a way that actually makes sense to them.
Avoid Jargon
This is probably the hardest habit to break. Scientific language becomes so normal to us that we don’t always realize when we’re using jargon.
The problem is that jargon creates a barrier. Instead of helping someone understand your work, it forces them to decode the language first, and that can make them lose interest quickly. Using simpler words and shorter explanations makes it easier for people to focus on the actual idea rather than the wording
That doesn’t mean you have to oversimplify everything. It just means choosing words that are easier to follow and being mindful of how much technical detail you include.
Use Analogies
One of the easiest ways to explain complex ideas is by comparing them to something familiar. Analogies help bridge the gap between what someone already understands and what you’re trying to explain.
Instead of giving a detailed, technical explanation right away, it can help to start with a simple comparison. Once the person understands the basic idea, you can always add more detail if they’re interested.
This approach also makes conversations feel more engaging. It turns something that might feel abstract into something more relatable and easier to connect with
Focus on the Big Picture
As scientists, we’re trained to think about details, methods, data, controls, and all the specifics that go into research. But for someone outside the field, those details aren’t always the most important part.
What matters more is the big picture. Why does this research matter? What does it tell us? How does it connect to something people already care about?
Non-scientists tend to look for the takeaway first, rather than the full background or methodology
Starting with the bigger picture makes it easier for people to stay engaged and understand why your work is relevant.
Be Relatable
At the end of the day, communication is about connection. If something feels too distant or abstract, it’s harder for people to stay interested.
Relating your work to real-life situations, everyday experiences, or things people already care about makes a big difference. It helps shift the conversation from something that feels purely academic to something that feels more meaningful.
People are more likely to engage with science when they can see how it connects to their own lives or experiences.
Practice
Like anything else, communicating science gets easier with practice. The more you do it, the more comfortable you become adjusting your explanations and finding what works.
It also helps to pay attention to how people respond. If someone looks confused, that’s usually a sign to simplify or explain things differently. If they’re asking questions, that’s a good sign that they’re engaged.
Over time, you start to develop a better sense of how to communicate in different situations, and it becomes much more natural.