How can science communicators help in a crisis?

COALESCE has published a strategic tool and support resource to help researchers, communicators and journalists act quickly, effectively and responsibly when a crisis arises.

The Crisis Navigator demonstrates how science communication can play a vital role before, during and after a crisis – not only by sharing facts, but by fostering dialogue, building trust, managing uncertainty and supporting reflection. Public & Science Sweden has now translated it into Swedish; you can find it here. (In English above)

It outlines four key phases (pre-crisis, imminent crisis, real-time crisis, and post-crisis) and explains how communication can enable effective crisis management and create space for constructive dialogue among researchers, communicators, and other stakeholders.

As a practical guide, the Navigator helps science communicators (and others) anticipate and prepare for common challenges in crises, such as uncertainty, ethical dilemmas, framing issues, values, emotions and power dynamics –  all of which influence how scientific evidence is interpreted and used.