Stand up for Science: Practical Approaches to Discussing Science that Matters

COMPASS empowers scientists to engage with society, leading to a more productive public discourse about the environment. We coach scientists to be more effective communicators and connect them to key people and conversations at the most relevant times. Since 1999, we’ve trained thousands of scientists to be more effective communicators, and brokered hundreds of relationships for scientists with journalists, policymakers, and their peers. Our mission, at our founding and today, is to help scientists effectively share their knowledge in the public discourse and decision-making. We provide practical support for scientists to engage without compromising the accuracy of their science.

Grounded in the latest research on science communication, our in-depth, highly interactive, and customized trainings empower scientists to find the relevance of their science for the audiences they most want to reach—journalists, policymakers, stakeholders, leaders within their institution, and other scientists. We help scientists set, refine, and ultimately achieve their goals for effectively engaging with society. As pioneers in the practice of science communication, we bring our experience, insight, and social capital to support more scientists to engage effectively.

We work to bridge disconnects between scientific understanding and policy, perceptions, and practices around topics such as the ocean, wildfire, ecosystem services, water, and land. We focus on where science and scientists can be most transformative, facilitating interdisciplinary workshops and trainings, framing scientific conferences, and connecting scientists with policymakers, journalists, and others who influence the discourse. We believe that when scientific knowledge and insights are part of decision-making, the solutions that emerge will be robust and will benefit both society and the environment.

LEARN MORE ABOUT COMPASS.