Every day, science produces data that shapes our societies from public well being and know-how to policymaking and world governance. But data alone is not sufficient. Its influence is dependent upon the way it is communicated, trusted, and utilized throughout various communities.
At the center of this problem is Suleiman Abdulsalam, a Nigerian researcher whose work is serving to to bridge the hole between science and society. Currently a PhD scholar in Planning, Governance, and Globalization (UEDP Track) at Virginia Tech, Suleiman is conducting analysis in the Wald Lab, below the mentorship of Dr. Dara Wald, an affiliate professor of environmental communication and coverage in the School of Public and International Affairs at Virginia Tech.
A Global Lens on Science Communication
Suleiman’s tutorial journey bridges continents and disciplines. He earned an MSc in Collective Intelligence—the primary program of its sort worldwide—at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco, supported by the Ibn Roch Foundation for Science and Innovation Scholarship. He went on to pursue a Master’s in Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, funded by the Riberas Orjales Fellowship. This distinctive mix of coaching has geared up him with a very world perspective on how scientific data is generated, communicated, and trusted throughout borders.
“The biggest challenge isn’t just producing knowledge — it’s ensuring that knowledge is understood, trusted, and acted upon,” Suleiman explains. “Science only matters when it is communicated clearly and inclusively, especially in diverse cultural and political contexts. My work in the Wald Lab allows me to explore these dynamics at the intersection of science communication, policy, and public engagement.”
Trust in Science: A Global Study
Suleiman performed a central function in the Trust in Science Project (TISP)—a consortium led by Dr. Viktoria Cologna and Dr. Niels G. Mede, Group lead at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Switzerland, and Assistant Professor of Communication Science in Life Science Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Netherlands, respectively.
Tagged as one of the in depth post-pandemic research of public belief in science, involving over 71,000 members throughout 68 international locations. He led Arabic survey translation, coordinated knowledge assortment in Morocco, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire, and performed a task in knowledge evaluation and literature evaluate processes of the venture work.
Suleiman’s analysis has contributed to a number of high-impact publications advancing the worldwide communication of science. The research “Trust in scientists and their role in society across 68 countries” appeared in Nature Human Behaviour, one of many world’s top-ranked social science journals. The TISP dataset was additional documented in “Perceptions of science, science communication, and climate change attitudes in 68 countries”, revealed in Nature Scientific Data. Additional analyses, together with “Extreme weather event attribution predicts climate policy support across the world” in Nature Climate Change, spotlight the coverage relevance of this work. Another venture, “Public communication about science in 68 countries: Global evidence on how people encounter science information and engage with it”, is at present present process peer evaluate and obtainable by way of OSF. These research have already knowledgeable European Union policymaking, demonstrating the sensible influence of rigorous and inclusive science communication.
Bridging Knowledge and Policy
For Suleiman, the work is deeply private. “Growing up in Nigeria, I saw firsthand how a lack of trust in scientific knowledge can hinder progress. My goal is to ensure that science is not just credible but also comprehensible, relevant, and actionable for communities and policymakers worldwide.”
His analysis in the Wald Lab emphasizes the world communication of science, learning how establishments, scientists, and the general public work together, and the way belief shapes decision-making. The lab’s concentrate on science communication, coverage engagement, and worldwide collaboration has been essential in shaping his strategy to world science governance.
A Vision for the Future
Looking forward, Suleiman plans to proceed exploring how science communication and governance intersect to handle advanced world challenges. “Science is a tool for solving real-world problems, but its power depends on how well it is communicated and trusted,” he says. “If we can build systems where knowledge flows transparently and inclusively, we can empower communities, guide policymakers, and strengthen global governance.”