Illustration by Berwin Swami Vetha, Ph.D., POSTDOCket graphics editor.

Researchers today communicate science through various media outlets – podcasts, blogs, data visuals, social media, and policy briefs to reach audiences worldwide [¹]. These efforts have made research more accessible and engaging, helping communities, policymakers, and the public better understand and apply scientific findings.

The Changing Landscape of Science Communication

Science communication has shifted from traditional gatekeeping models to open, participatory platforms where knowledge is shared rapidly and widely. Beyond journals and conferences, researchers increasingly rely on preprints, open-access repositories, and social media to communicate in real time [²]. Digital storytelling, AI-assisted writing, and multimedia formats, including videos, podcasts, interactive graphics, and visual abstracts, make scientific ideas more accessible and engaging to an audience [³]. To maximize impact, scientists are now focused on tailoring their messages to diverse audiences in clear, inclusive, and engaging ways.

Why Postdocs Should Care

For postdoctoral scholars, strong communication skills are directly tied to career visibility, collaboration opportunities, and broader research impact [⁴]. Selecting appropriate platforms, such as blogs, podcasts, social media, or policy briefs, can amplify their work and foster interdisciplinary connections. Initiatives like three-minute thesis competitions highlight the importance of presenting complex research ideas concisely and effectively to non-specialist audiences.

Science communication is also emerging as a viable career pathway, offering opportunities in science journalism, public outreach, public affairs, and policy. Funding agencies and institutions are increasingly prioritizing outreach, open data practices, and public engagement in grant proposals, making effective communication a strategic advantage. Explaining research in non-technical language strengthens real-world relevance while building transferable skills in storytelling, leadership, and stakeholder engagement. By sharing science openly and responsibly, postdocs help build public trust, inspire future researchers, and reinforce the societal value of their work.

The Future: Tools and Trends

The future of science communication is being reshaped by new tools, rising expectations, and stronger commitments to accessibility. AI-assisted writing platforms like ChatGPT, Grammarly, and SciSpace, along with visualization tools such as BioRender and Canva, help researchers summarize findings, create graphics, and communicate in various languages. Together, these technologies contribute to a broader shift toward open and equitable science, making research more understandable to diverse audiences [ ^5,6]. However, researchers must vet AI-generated content and remain responsible for accuracy, given the risks of bias and misinformation [⁷].

Community science and citizen engagement are also expanding, enabling the public to contribute to data collection, interpretation, and advocacy. In parallel, funding agencies increasingly require broader-impact statements, public engagement plans, open data, and transparent reporting. Consequently, communication training is becoming a core component of postdoctoral programs and grant preparation.

At the same time, it is important to recognize the heavy workload postdocs already face. Learning and maintaining multiple communication platforms can feel overwhelming, so efforts should remain realistic and sustainable. Simple actions, like creating a visual abstract or writing a brief lay summary, can increase impact without undue strain.

As the field of science communication evolves, postdoctoral researchers are increasingly expected to engage responsibly with broader audiences, using practical and sustainable approaches that support an open and trustworthy research ecosystem.

References:

[¹] Krause NM, Freiling I, Scheufele DA. Our changing information ecosystem for science and why it matters for effective science communication. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2025 Jul 8;122(27):e2400928121. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2400928121
[²] Shujath J. Beyond Traditional Publishing: Social Media as a Catalyst for Biomedical Research Dissemination and Collaboration. J Interferon Cytokine Res. 2025 Jul;45(7):247-253. - https://doi.org/10.1089/jir.2025.0074
[³] Soltani N, Dietz T, Ochterbeck D, Dierkes J, Restel K, Christianson L, De Santis K, Zeeb H. Digital Information Exchange Between the Public and Researchers in Health Studies: Scoping Review.J Med Internet Res 2025;27:e63373. URL: https://doi.prg/10.2196/63373.
[⁴] Voicu, D. BRIEF RESEARCH REPORT Predictors of media engagement: Factors impacting materials scientists' intentions to communicate science. Frontiers in Communication, 10, 1568771
[⁵] Kessler, S. H., Mahl, D., Schäfer, M. S. and Volk, S. C. (2025). Science communication in the age of Artificial Intelligence JCOM 24(02), E. https://doi.org/10.22323/2.24020501
[⁶] Zhang, K. E., & Jenkinson, J. (2024). The Visual Science Communication Toolkit: Responding to the Need for Visual Science Communication Training in Undergraduate Life Sciences Education. Education Sciences, 14(3), 296. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14030296
[⁷] Huff, C. (2024). The Promise and Perils of Using AI for Research and Writing. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/topics/artificial-intelligence-machine-learning/ai-research-writing.

Illustration by Aswathy Shailaja, Ph.D., POSTDOCket editor in chief.

Entering a New Editorial Era

We are stepping into a new editorial era—one shaped not by the disappearance of human voices, but by their amplification. As technology rapidly transforms how we communicate and connect with each other, public communication remains fundamentally human, grounded in trust, clarity, and shared experience. Within the postdoctoral community, this shift carries particular significance.

Throughout The POSTDOCket’s 2025 conversations and the theme of National Postdoc Appreciation Week, a shared truth emerged: the essential role of postdocs as translators between science and society in today’s information climate, especially amid growing misinformation. How we tell our stories now matters as much as the discoveries we make.

Seen this way, artificial intelligence (AI) enters the editorial space not as a disruption, but as part of our ongoing evolution. AI is not a writer with a voice of its own, but a practical and efficient tool that can broaden access while reserving judgment, creativity, and authenticity firmly with humans. As The POSTDOCket has emphasized, postdocs sit at a unique intersection of discovery and dialogue. In a time when speed can challenge accuracy, human-centered storytelling remains indispensable.

AI as a Support Tool; Not an Author

Digital tools are a welcome addition to organizing, editing, and sharing our ideas, but they are not the source of them. Their value lies in supporting clarity, accessibility, and structure, not in generating original narratives. When used thoughtfully, these tools can simplify editorial workflows and handle repetitive tasks, allowing contributors to focus on analysis, insight, and intent. The POSTDOCket remains firmly committed to human-authored storytelling rooted in community and expertise. Technology may assist the process – meaning, voice and accountability remain human, where they belong.

Ethics in the Age of AI

As publications across the board continue to integrate AI tools and educate users about publications’ integrity, establishing strong, AI-proof editorial policies remains central to our publishing standards at The POSTDOCket. In fact, we encourage our contributing authors and editors to use these tools for outlining and refining ideas, while standing by our principle that facts must be verified and opinions can only be original.

How Can Postdocs Leverage the Benefits of AI in Their Writing?

We have undeniably entered an era in which responsible AI usage can support smaller research tasks. As postdocs are inherently proficient in adapting to new technology and cultures, they are well-positioned to engage with these tools in an unbiased manner. From visual communication aids to quick content design, AI can serve as a complementary tool to communicate our research to the public.

Looking Ahead into the Digital Age

Amidst the democratization of knowledge and global access to information, the digital age has also brought its own perils with it – misinformation, overreliance on automation, and a lack of authenticity. We urge our community to strongly advocate for correct, evidence-based information and to approach AI with curiosity, responsibility, and integrity. When thoughtfully integrated into the ways we communicate, these tools help elevate collective voices and drive positive changes in 2026 and beyond.