Museum of Science Announces Inaugural Cohort of Digital Science Communication Fellows

Scientific experts and digital creators to be paired to increase reach and resonance of trustworthy scientific information

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Museum of Science today announced the inaugural cohort selected for its Digital Science Communication Fellowship, a national program as part of the Museum of Science’s Global Science Creator Network, dedicated to strengthening scientific communication and public understanding. The fellowship pairs scientific experts with influential digital creators to help scientists better leverage social communications platforms, creating greater visibility and impact around their work.

The fellowship is designed to equip scientific leaders with the tools to successfully communicate their work with clarity, accuracy, and cultural resonance. The initiative arrives at a critical moment: while 89% of Americans view scientists as intelligent, only 45% consider them effective communicators. By bridging this "communication gap," the fellowship aims to combat misinformation and restore public trust through digital storytelling, behavioral science, and civic-minded strategy. Working alongside mentors from top-tier academic, media, and scientific institutions, fellows will master the art of reaching diverse audiences across digital platforms.

“Through our Science Communicator Fellowship, a key initiative of our Global Science Creator Network, we’re training scientists, researchers, and experts to communicate more effectively on digital platforms and connect with audiences interested in their work,” said Tim Ritchie. “By pairing them with experienced digital mentors, we’re meeting people where they already are and building trust in science through stories that inspire active hope.”

Out of hundreds of applications, 46 “mentees” (scientific experts) and “mentors” (digital creators) were selected, representing fields including physics, engineering, neuroscience, and more.

Over six months, digital mentors and mentees will work together in teams to co-design new, scalable approaches to digital-first science communication – from social media to podcasts to blogging – that inspires greater public trust in scientific institutions while also generating public excitement about cutting edge scientific research and discoveries.

This fellowship represents the next phase of the Museum’s digital-first transformation. By integrating advanced storytelling with innovative digital products, the Museum has expanded its connection with audiences far beyond its physical walls. The museum now reaches hundreds of millions of people annually in-person, in schools and online.

For a full list of the inaugural fellows, click here.

About the Museum of Science, Boston
As science and technology increasingly shape our lives, the Museum of Science strives to equip and inspire everyone to use science for the global good. Among the world’s largest science centers and New England’s most attended cultural institution, we reach over 300 million people a year—at Science Park and in museums around the world, in classrooms, and online. Established in 1830, the Museum is home to such iconic attractions as the Theater of Electricity, the Charles Hayden Planetarium, and the Mugar Omni Theater. The Museum influences formal and informal STEM education through research and national advocacy, as a strong community partner and loyal educator resource, and as a leader in universal design, developing exhibits and programming accessible to all.

Learn more at https://www.mos.org/science-communication-fellowship and follow @museumofscience on all major social platforms.