If there was one thing that could be said for 2025, it was that funding instability, polarization, and misinformation created a perfect storm that was especially challenging for scientists. Chief among these challenges is bridging the gap between scientific expertise and public understanding of and dialogue about science. Surveys show that trust in science among the general public remains strong and that most people nationally and globally believe scientists to be trustworthy. And yet engagement with scientists remains low: most Americans rarely interact with scientists in real life, and many get their information from “sci-influencers” on platforms like Tik-Tok and Instagram. This paradox reminds us that trust alone is not enough; it must be paired with dialogue, transparency, and collaboration. The call to action for scientists then is to decrease what Dr. Matthew Facciani calls the “psychological distance” between professional scientists and the general public. This is why SCOPE’s focus this year at the Cell Bio Meeting is to provide multiple professional development opportunities for scientists to be able to interact with the general public from a diversity of backgrounds. 

Perfect for anyone, trainee to professional, to learn how to sell yourself and your science to the general public. 

• Annual Elevator Pitch Contest: Stop by on Monday December 8 at 4:00 pm to learn and practice how to give an Elevator Pitch. 
• Put yourself into one our “I am ASCB videos” at Booth #333 in the Main Exhibit Hall during the mid-morning break 10:30-11:30 am Sunday, December 7 to Tuesday, December 9. 

New this year are a professional development workshop and roundtable discussion to help scientists to develop skills to have meaningful and impactful one-on-one interactions in our everyday lives. 

• Connecting Conversations Workshop: Monday, December 8 at 11:00 am at our to learn how to build trust and connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Navigating Challenging Science Communication on Tuesday, December 9 at 12:00 pm. Bring your toughest communication challenges for discussion. 

As dedicated science communicators that seek to model these practices, SCOPE will also be facilitating science engagement activities at the Franklin Institute’s Science Connections Day on Saturday, December 6. We’ll engage the public by showcasing the invisible cellular world to go along with their Body Odyssey exhibit. ASCB members can receive a discount ($4 off up to 4 adults with code GAJD5, must purchase online at fi.edu) to the Franklin Institute anytime December 5-11. 

If 2025 taught us anything, it’s that science cannot thrive in isolation. The path forward lies in learning to build bridges—between researchers and communities, evidence and empathy—so that science becomes not just something people believe in, but something they actively engage with and help shape. We look forward to seeing you as we embark on this learning journey together. 

References: 

Tyson, A., & Kennedy, B. (2024, November 14). Public trust in scientists and views on their role in policymaking. Pew Research Center. 

National Science Board. (2024). Science and Technology: Public Perceptions, Awareness, and Information Sources (NSB-2024-4). Science & Engineering Indicators 2024. National Science Foundation.

Frick, C., Grommes, E.-M., & Watanabe, A. (2025). Science communication on TikTok: toward transformative and post-normal science. Frontiers in Communication, 10.

Facciani, M. Reducing Psychological Distance in Science Communication. (2023). 

Cologna, V., Mede, N. G., Berger, S., Besley, J., Brick, C., Joubert, M., … & Metag, J. 

(2025). Trust in scientists and their role in society across 68 countries. Nature Human Behaviour, 9(4), 713–730.