Effective Communication Strategies for Science Academies Webinar (ADI 2024)
Science academy communication has become crucial for institutional success and policy impact across Africa. The Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) addressed this challenge through its second quarterly webinar in the Academy Development Initiative (ADI) series on June 13, 2024.
The webinar focused on “Effective Communication Strategies for Science Academies,” designed to enhance how African research institutions communicate, engage, and partner with diverse stakeholders while strategically positioning themselves to influence policy decisions.
Dr. Makhamisa Senekane, Secretary General of the Lesotho Academy of Science and Technology (LAST), delivered the keynote presentation based on proven experience in scientific stakeholder engagement. His insights focused on the pivotal role of strategic communication in promoting scientific knowledge and enhancing public engagement.
Dr. Senekane emphasized that successful science academy communication requires developing robust and adaptive strategies that recognize each audience’s unique needs and preferences. Effective communication with policymakers demands evidence-based language that translates complex research into actionable insights for decision-making, while public engagement requires accessible scientific content that builds understanding without overwhelming non-expert audiences. Similarly, media relations must focus on creating compelling narratives that achieve broader reach and societal impact, whereas academic networking calls for peer-focused communication that facilitates collaboration and knowledge exchange within the scientific community.
Effective science academies must build relationships across five key sectors to maximize their impact. Government partnerships provide policy influence and shape national research priorities. Research institution collaborations create synergies through shared resources and joint projects. Private sector engagement drives innovation and commercializes research. International networks expand reach and access to global funding. Community outreach builds public trust and demonstrates societal value.
Key Point: Success requires a multi-sector approach where each stakeholder relationship serves a specific strategic purpose – from policy influence to funding access to public engagement.
The core message: Science academies can’t operate in isolation; they need diverse partnerships to fulfill their mission and remain relevant to society.
Webinar participants emphasized that science academies and government agencies need stronger partnerships that benefit both parties. These collaborations allow academies to share their research expertise with governments while gaining insight into policy needs. The result is better evidence-based policymaking that addresses real societal challenges, while academies build credibility and public trust by demonstrating their value to national development.
Key Benefits:
- Academies provide research expertise; governments share policy insights
- Wider reach to decision-makers who control national resources
- Enhanced institutional credibility through practical impact
- Fulfillment of academies’ mission to serve society
The core message: Strategic partnerships transform academic research into practical policy solutions while strengthening both institutions.
Continuous Professional Development
The webinar emphasized continuous capacity building opportunities for science academies to enhance communication skills through:
- Strategic communication training programs
- Media engagement workshops
- Policy briefing development skills
- Digital communication platform utilization
Collaboration and Networking Excellence
Dr. Senekane underlined the importance of collaboration, networking, and stakeholder engagement as foundational elements for successful science academy communication.
Partnership Development
- Stronger impact-based collaborations with government agencies
- Enhanced resource sharing mechanisms
- Expanded audience reach strategies
- Policy maker engagement protocols
Skill Enhancement
- Communication skills development programs
- Evidence presentation training
- Stakeholder mapping and engagement
- Digital communication tool mastery
Strategic communication is essential for science academy success because it transforms research into actionable policy guidance. Effective communication enables academies to influence policy decisions, build public trust by making science accessible, attract funding by demonstrating value, and enhance their reputation as credible expert institutions.
Key Point: Communication acts as the bridge between scientific knowledge and real-world application – without it, even excellent research remains isolated and ineffective.
The core message: Strategic communication is not optional but fundamental to fulfilling a science academy’s mission and maintaining relevance in society.
Science academy leaders should begin by assessing current communication strategies to identify gaps, developing audience-specific messaging for different stakeholder groups, investing in staff communication training and skill development, and creating stakeholder engagement protocols for systematic outreach. For long-term success, academies must establish communication excellence as an institutional priority, build strategic partnerships with media and policy organizations, develop robust digital communication capabilities, and create comprehensive impact measurement systems to evaluate their communication efforts’ effectiveness.
The NASAC webinar highlighted the critical role of effective communication in advancing science academy missions and enhancing policy advice across Africa. Through the Academy Development Initiative, NASAC continues supporting member institutions in developing the communication capabilities needed for greater influence and impact.
As African science academies strengthen their communication strategies, they build capacity to serve their nations more effectively while contributing to evidence-based decision making at national and continental levels.
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