Before communicating science to an individual or group, scientists and engineers can increase their chances for success by considering their audience. Are you communicating with a public, primarily non-academic group or to a group of scientists in your field? Are you being interviewed by a specialized science writer for an international publication or a generalist reporter for a local TV station?

To be sure that we communicate clearly, we can adjust our message – how we say it and what information we include – by recognizing that different audiences can best understand different messages.

Define in advance the composition of your audience. If you are planning to give a public talk, consider the venue – such as middle school, science café, or community group – to determine your audience. Think about what your audience may or may not already know about your topic and potential questions they might have. The best communicators always anticipate the needs and expectations of their audience, as it helps to determine and outline key messages in advance.

Discussion of science concepts with public, or primarily non-academic, audiences should avoid the use of highly technical terms and jargon. Consider the differences in a talk you might give to your close research collaborators, a talk for a general scientific audience, and a talk for a public audience.