What would it be like if you had to read a complex Nature paper every time you had a spark of scientific curiosity? The world would have lost several brilliant scientists if there was no one to explain something in simple terms to them the first time. Have you ever thought about the ones with the answers – the people who nurture and foster this curiosity; the ones behind the articles that answer our questions and shower thoughts?
This critical skill, science communication, simplifies these complex scientific papers into easily readable, scientifically accurate content. Dr. Ankita Shrestha is a science communicator in Impact Science, an initiative by Cactus Communications. She is also a part-time copyeditor at EditChecks LLC. She received her PhD in Plant Molecular Biology from Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar and then went on to pursue her postdoctoral training at the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.
Her role is at the interface between scientists and the public, making science more accessible and understandable to the latter. This takes shape in the form of various media such as infographics, press releases and video or lay summaries. The primary requirement is attention to detail and a knack for editing and writing, since engaging and accurate content is of utmost importance while communicating science to the public.
Her PhD made her curious and passionate about learning. The extensive reading required for writing research papers, reviews and grants during her PhD also helps her understand and capture the essence of scientific papers with ease. After all, as Albert Einstein said, “If you can’t explain it to a six-year-old, then you don’t understand it yourself.” Even away from the bench, this reading makes her feel connected to science and research!
“PhD training, in my opinion, is the most important and rigorous training a student can receive in his or her career. It does prepare you to deal with life’s most difficult situations, failures, and uncertainties. No wonder it’s called the Doctor of Philosophy!”
The challenging part of her job is balancing the authors’ expectations, the research, and the audience to determine the narrative for each piece. However, putting herself in the shoes of the reader and understanding their needs helps her demystify science in a way that appeals to the audience. On the plus side, there is never a dull moment at work – with new research and exciting visuals all the time!
During her postdoctoral tenure abroad, her colleagues inspired her to maintain a healthy work-life balance, irrespective of the situation at work. She started weaving fun, relaxation, and travel into her life, making it easier and less stressful. This proved useful when she took up her current remote role, where she has an organized, well-planned workday of her own making. She makes time for personal and professional life, during the day and weekends due to her compartmentalized workday starting at 10 AM and ending at 6 PM every day.
Postdoctoral training is something I would encourage students to pursue. It is a drastic shift from the student life to a new work environment. I learnt that there’s no harm in having fun, travelling, and taking some time off. It makes life easier and less stressful.
To those interested in pursuing a career as a science communicator, she recommends thoroughly understanding the requirements of this relatively new career path to ensure that it suits them. Although there prevails a misconception that prior editing and writing experience or a degree in science journalism is required, she emphasizes that a knack for writing, editing and visualizing information are the most important criteria. Focus is a key requirement – be it for writing or editing, as it can require long, sometimes unproductive work sessions and one cannot afford to make mistakes or produce erroneous content. Identifying your interest at the right time can go a long way in defining your career!
My friends, who are mostly postdocs or PhDs often ask me if I feel disconnected from research and if this switch from academia is worthwhile. Well, I believe that something is only worth if you enjoy doing it. There is no such thing as a perfect job or career. It is simply the perspective from which we proceed.
Equipped with these skills and a good performance in the interview and assessments, one can make an entry-level pay comparable to a postdoc in India. Additionally, the remote-based nature of work can reduce expenditure for commute and even accommodation, further improving the financial prospects. The flexibility in the workload also allows one to take up additional freelance employment if necessary.
On the flip side, she also says that the onus is on the individual to take care of their mental health as they miss out on the social aspects of the workplace, creating a feeling of isolation. She finds that positive energy, long-term career goals and a well-planned workday are the way to go for her!
If you would like to know more about Ankita and her work, connect with her on LinkedIn, ResearchGate or ORCID!