The work of a science author is much extra complicated than simply explaining troublesome terminology to residents in a easy method. It additionally extends to sparking conversations that allow residents to know, query and have interaction with science of their on a regular basis lives.
“A science communicator helps to close the gap between science and society. The work involves translating complex scientific information and technical jargon into language and formats that different audiences can understand, relate to and use.
“However, it is not simply about making scientific language easier. It also requires understanding the audience: what people already know, what concerns them, which languages and communication platforms they use, and how science connects with their everyday lives,” Dr Anton Binneman stated in an interview with SAnews.
Dr Binneman is the Manager: Science Communication at the National Research Foundation’s South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA). The company is a unit of the National Research Foundation (NRF) and advances public engagement with science, engineering and know-how in South Africa.
This, as South Africa, as of this July, started commemorating National Science Month (NSM), which Deputy Minister of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), Dr Nomalungelo Gina, launched on 4 July 2026.
At the launch held at the Vaal University of Technology in Sebokeng, the Deputy Minister stated the transition from National Science Week, which has been noticed since 2000, to a month-long commemoration displays the authorities’s recognition of the more and more vital position of science, know-how and innovation in addressing complicated world and nationwide challenges.
Binneman’s feedback on the use of science in on a regular basis life echo the theme of the inaugural NSM of “Science, Technology and Innovation are for everyone.”
“Science communicators may work through radio, television, newspapers, digital media, social media, exhibitions, public dialogues, schools, museums, and community engagement programmes.
“We also work closely with scientists, journalists, policymakers, educators and communities to ensure that scientific information is accurate, relevant and accessible. The ultimate objective is not merely to tell people what science says. It is to contribute to a society in which people can ask informed questions, assess evidence, form their own opinions and participate critically in discussions about science, technology and innovation,” Dr Binneman defined.
Rationale
He added that at the launch of the 2025 National Science Week, the Minister of the Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, introduced that the National Science Week programme could be expanded into the National Science Month from 2026. The preliminary flagship initiative was concentrated in chosen provinces.
“The move from one week to a full month provides more time and space for universities, science councils, government departments, businesses, schools, scientists and community organisations to participate. It also allows us to address a broader range of subjects and reach communities that may not previously have had opportunities to participate in science engagement activities.
“It includes public lectures, community engagements, exhibitions, science tours, expert discussions, school activities and media engagements across themes such as health, climate change, technology, space science, education, human rights and indigenous knowledge systems,” Dr Binneman explained.
Participatory approach
Asked how the public is responding to the initiative, Dr Binneman said while it is still early days, the “initial response has been encouraging.”
“Organisations throughout the National System of Innovation are organising activities. Members of the public are being invited not only to attend formal events but also to initiate their own science-related conversations and activities.”
He added that the participatory strategy is vital as a result of the success of National Science Month shouldn’t be measured solely by the variety of occasions but in addition by whether or not individuals start to recognise that science is a part of their lives and that they’ve a spot in conversations about it.
Misconceptions and world-class capabilities
He is of the view that a lot about science includes on uncertainty, debate and even disagreement at instances.
“Science is sometimes presented as a collection of fixed facts produced by exceptionally intelligent people working alone. In reality, science is a systematic process of asking questions, testing explanations, reviewing evidence and correcting mistakes,” he stated.
While scientists don’t all the time agree on points, this isn’t essentially a weak spot.
Constructive disagreement, peer overview and the capability to revise conclusions when higher proof turns into accessible are amongst the strengths of science. People may additionally be shocked by how a lot South African science contributes internationally. Our nation has world-class analysis capabilities in areas corresponding to astronomy, biodiversity, well being, paleoscience, local weather analysis, nuclear science and house climate.
“Facilities such as MeerKAT, the Southern African Large Telescope, iThemba LABS, and the South African National Space Agency’s Space Weather Centre demonstrate that South Africa is not merely consuming scientific knowledge produced elsewhere; we are helping to produce knowledge of global significance,” he defined.
Asked about the main misconceptions about science amongst the South African public, Dr Binneman stated one false impression is that science belongs solely to scientists, universities and laboratories.
“Science is present in agriculture, healthcare, water management, transport, communication, food preparation, construction and many of the decisions people make every day,” he stated.
A second false impression he factors to is that science is just a faculty topic that some are “good at” and others are not, including that scientific considering is broader than tutorial efficiency.
“It includes curiosity, observation, questioning, comparing evidence and being willing to change one’s mind. Another misconception is that science always provides immediate, absolute and final answers. Scientific knowledge develops over time. Researchers often work with probabilities, limitations and incomplete evidence.”
He additionally defined that when scientific recommendation modifications resulting from the emergence of recent proof, some individuals interpret this as proof that science can’t be trusted.
“In truth, the capability to appropriate itself is one among science’s most vital traits. There can also be generally a notion that trendy science and indigenous information methods have to be in opposition. These are completely different information traditions, with completely different strategies and contexts, however significant dialogue between them is feasible.
“South Africa’s knowledge landscape is richer when communities are not treated only as recipients of scientific information but are recognised as participants who possess knowledge, experience and questions of their own,” stated Dr Binneman.
Communicating effectively
Given that scientific info is usually complicated, specialised and surrounded by uncertainty, science communicators should protect scientific accuracy whereas making the content material comprehensible.
“If we simplify too much, we may distort the science. If we retain too much technical detail, we may lose the audience. It becomes even more challenging when the science is linked to people’s livelihoods, identities, histories, or concerns about government and institutions.
“In those situations, communication cannot be approached simply as the transmission of information. It requires listening, empathy and an understanding that people may interpret the same scientific development very differently.”
He defined that he has skilled moments when he questioned whether or not he was sufficiently geared up for the process at hand.
“During my work associated with the Square Kilometre Array [SKA] project in the Northern Cape, I encountered communities with legitimate concerns about land, employment, development, and the long-term implications of a major scientific infrastructure project. I realised that knowing the science and communicating its benefits were not enough. I also had to understand the social context, acknowledge competing narratives, and create space for people to speak.”
The SKA undertaking is a global effort to construct the world’s largest radio telescope geared toward enabling astronomers to observe the sky in unprecedented element.
He added that these experiences didn’t make him much less assured in the worth of science communication.
“They made me a better practitioner. They taught me that science communication is not about having every answer. It is about being willing to listen, being honest about uncertainty, and facilitating a meaningful conversation between scientific institutions and society,” he stated.
On how science shapes his world, Dr Binneman stated science encourages him to stay curious and to keep away from accepting straightforward explanations with out analyzing the proof.
“It reminds me that the world is complex and that our first interpretation of a problem is not always the correct one. At the same time, working in science communication has taught me that evidence alone does not explain how people understand the world,” he stated, including that historical past, tradition, identification, private expertise and belief additionally affect how individuals interpret scientific info.
“My view of the world is formed by each scientific inquiry and human expertise. Science has additionally made me extra snug with uncertainty. Not understanding one thing just isn’t a failure; it’s the starting of a query.
“I believe that attitude is particularly valuable in public service. We should make decisions using the best available evidence, remain transparent about what we do not yet know, and be willing to adjust our approaches when the evidence changes,” he defined.
Public Service Month
With South Africa resulting from mark Public Service Month (PSM) in September, Dr Binneman is of the view that the nation has many proficient science communicators, journalists, researchers, and engagement practitioners however doesn’t but have sufficient individuals with the specialised competencies required to speak the full breadth of scientific work going down throughout the nation.
The problem lies not solely in the variety of practitioners but in addition in contemplating the place they’re positioned, which communities and languages they’ll attain, their entry to media platforms and whether or not they obtain ample institutional help.
“Much of South Africa’s science communication remains concentrated in major institutions and urban centres, while communities in rural areas may have fewer opportunities to engage directly with scientists and scientific organisations.”
He stated a coordinated strategy to skilled growth is a necessity.
“Science communication should be recognised as a specialised field requiring competencies in scientific literacy, audience research, journalism, digital communication, ethics, public engagement, cultural awareness, multilingual communication and evaluation.”
He stated that there are a number of attainable entry routes into the career and that folks might come from the science discipline, journalism, communication, training, or the social sciences.
He added that some universities provide {qualifications} or modules in science communication.
The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, by means of the NRF-SAASTA, additionally helps a postgraduate diploma in science communication to allow graduates to develop these specialised expertise.
However, {qualifications} alone is not going to be ample. Other vital interventions embrace workplace-based studying, internships, mentorship, alternatives for journalists to concentrate on science, stronger relationships between scientists and the media, and steady skilled growth for each researchers and communicators.
“Scientists must also obtain help to speak their very own work extra successfully. Particular consideration ought to be given to creating communicators who can work in South Africa’s indigenous languages and who perceive native contexts.
“People should not have to encounter science only in highly technical English. Language affects access, trust and the ability to participate meaningfully,” he defined.
He added that authorities establishments and publicly funded analysis organisations even have a accountability to make communication a part of the analysis and innovation course of moderately than treating it as an exercise that takes place solely after the work has been accomplished.
PSM serves as a reminder of what it means to serve communities with public servants known as to recommit themselves to belong, to care, and to serve the individuals.
“Publicly funded science ought to be communicated again to the public in ways in which show its relevance, limitations, and worth. Ultimately, South Africa wants greater than individuals who can promote scientific achievements.
“We need practitioners who can facilitate difficult conversations, communicate uncertainty, counter misinformation, listen to communities and help citizens understand how science relates to public policy and their everyday lives,” he stated.
According to Dr Binneman, that capability is important for constructing a succesful public service, strengthening confidence in public establishments and creating a extra scientifically engaged society.
The programme for National Science Month might be accessed on: https://www.saasta.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/NSM_2026_NATIONAL_PROGRAMME_with-cover-page.pdf
–SAnews.gov.za