About this episode

The episode explores the challenges and importance of effective science communication in bridging the gap between scientific research and public understanding.

In this episode, I'm joined science-communication researcher Miguel Vissers for a funny, honest, and wildly insightful look at how science actually reaches the public —and why it so often goes wrong. Check out the links below to see Miguel's work and check back for updates as one of the pieces of research we discuss will be available soon. We start with the question, why science needs its own communication field and whether this is a unique case. We also cover Miguel's area of expertise and look at how press releases shape the news you see—sometimes a little too directly. The conversation also touches on lessons learned during the pandemic regarding transparency, trust, and mixed messaging. Why scientists, journalists, governments, and influencers all talk past each other. And finally… how Joe Rogan went from “gateway to science curiosity” to “uh oh.” Takeaways: The podcast episode delves into the intricacies of science communication, particularly its role in bridging the gap between scientific research and public understanding. The challenges faced by scientists in conveying their findings effectively. The balance that science communicators must maintain between promoting…

People in this episode

Host: Bradley van Paridon

Guest: Miguel Vissers

Topics covered

• science communication
• public understanding of science
• transparency in science
• trust in science
• media and science
• pandemic lessons

Keywords

• science communication
• public understanding
• transparency
• trust
• media
• press releases
• pandemic
• scientists
• journalists

More episodes of Two Brad For You

• Episode 109 - Why Science Needs Emotion · February 6, 2026 · 1h 21m
• Episode 108 - The Return of Screwworm · January 23, 2026 · 49 min
• Episode 106 - Science is Human, Science is Global · November 5, 2025 · 1h 9m
• Episode 105 - Serious Science, Funny People: The Surprising Truth About Humor in Science · October 11, 2025 · 1h 3m
• Episode 104 - The Threat of Miscommunication: Understanding Scientists and Their Public Perception · July 25, 2025 · 1h 28m
• Episode 103 - Science vs. Politics: Are They Really Separate? · April 25, 2025 · 34 min

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