Towards Public-Friendly Open Science: YouTube Alongside Journal Articles?

Jace Harker writes: The public has often a hard time understanding research and its relevance to society. One of the reasons for this is that scientists do not spend enough time communicating their findings outside their own scientific community," writes Authorea Chief Scientist Matteo Cantiello. "It's ironic and somewhat frightening that the discoveries and recommendations for which society invests substantial economic and human capital, are not directly disseminated by the people who really understand them." Cantiello goes on to propose a "Public-Friendly Open Science bundle": scientists who publish a paper should also draft and publish a press release, layperson's summary, and/or YouTube video. Should scientists be more responsible for communicating their results directly to the public? Or should this role be left to science journalists?

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[xxxJonBoyxxx]

>> Should scientists be more responsible for communicating their results directly to the public? Or should this role be left to science journalists?

At major research universities dependent on grants this role is often part of the public relations arm of the funding coordinators (or university itself). The reason is simple and profit-motivated: the more that constituents and politicians know and hear about scientists' findings and discoveries, the more likely future grants are.