Effective Communication with the General Public About Scientific Research That Requires the Care and Use of Animals: Proceedings of a Workshop (2024)

Overview

Scientific research involving animals is carried out in laboratories and clinics, zoos and aquaria, and wild and semiwild environments to achieve a wide range of goals that benefit humans and animals. Examples include advancing conservation efforts for threatened species; improving treatments for diseases in pets, livestock, or other animals; uncovering insights about fundamental biological processes; and developing new treatments to alleviate disease and improve human health. However, this 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 (the National Academies) organized a 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.

The workshop, titled Effective Communication with the General Public About Scientific Research That Requires the Care and Use of Animals, was hosted by the National Academies on December 19–20, 2023. It convened 27 presenters and over 531 academic and industry researchers, veterinarians, educators, communication specialists, and other participants. 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.

As described by Alice Huang, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (retired), planning committee chair, the workshop focused on helping scientists (the term encompassed people who are involved in any of a broad range of roles related to research with animals, including those who conduct the research, take care of the animals, or oversee the research) communicate effectively with the public. Specifically, the workshop examined challenges and opportunities in communicating about research involving animals with those who are not scientists (broadly defined as including members of the general public who are not involved in research with animals; people who are regarded by those nonscientists as reliable sources of information, such as journalists, veterinarians, and community leaders; and those in institutional leadership and communications positions at places where the research is conducted).

Across all of these audiences, Huang explained, communication is likely to be most effective when it is a two-way dialogue in which both parties are engaged, respect each other’s unique perspectives, listen actively, expect to learn something new, and recognize that complete agreement is not always possible or even necessarily the goal. Effective communication is an important skill for scientists to master, especially if many in the public have concerns about their research. Important general principles apply to all effective communication, but the workshop was designed to focus specifically on aspects of research with animals that are essential to decisions about what work to support, such as how the animals are treated, why animal models are valuable, the role of nonanimal models, and ethical considerations.

Huang expressed the planning committee’s hope that the workshop would provide scientists with tools that they can customize to improve the effectiveness of their conversations about their specific research and the animal species involved, to address the perspectives of their audiences. The goal of effective communication is to improve understanding of research with animals among individuals in the general public in order to inform decision making that is reflective of their individual values and concerns. “For people to make informed decisions about whether to support research with animals, it’s crucial for them to have access to accurate information, in context, that addresses their individual concerns and reflects understanding of their individual values,” Huang said.

Speakers explored how effective communication can improve public understanding and facilitate collective dialogue about issues that are important to both scientists and the public. Box 1-1 summarizes elected suggestions offered by workshop participants.

Several speakers described how differences in values and feelings in regard to research with animals—against the backdrop of a history of contentious research practices and interactions between scientists and activists—can pose a barrier to effective communication. Panelists described how experiences with harassment campaigns, or a fear of them, can lead some scientists or research institutions to avoid engaging in public discussions about research with animals. However, several speakers cautioned that ignoring criticism or refusing to engage in public dialogue can inadvertently result in scientists allowing others to control the public narrative and even spread misinformation.

To facilitate honest, accurate, and more productive interactions with the public, several speakers suggested ways that scientists could take a proactive approach by actively sharing stories and information about research with animals, seeking out opportunities to converse about the topic with journalists or the general public, and developing and rehearsing talking points that clearly and concisely convey their experiences and perspectives. Speakers discussed how individual scientists can work with institutional leadership and communication experts to learn how to successfully navigate media interviews, communicate via social media platforms, and engage in informal conversations with animal enthusiasts, family and friends, and the general public about their work. They also discussed opportunities for institutional leadership, research oversight bodies, such as Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees, research funders, and coalitions of scientific organizations to contribute to dispelling myths, increasing openness, and facilitating broader dialogues about animal research.

Across all communication and engagement efforts, many speakers underscored the importance of being consistently authentic and genuine, recognizing and communicating about the values and ethical issues involved in research with animals, and cultivating empathy. Although increasing openness is associated with increased vulnerability and can therefore feel intimidating, speakers posited that greater openness about the research—in all its complexity—can ultimately foster greater trust and understanding between scientists and the public.