Scientists' Experiences With Getting Help Making Strategic Communication Choices

This article uses semi-structured individual and focus group interviews to understand scientists' experiences receiving communication support with a specific focus on the type of help that can enable evidence-based risk communication decision-making. Using qualitative thematic analysis, it draws on a primary sample of environment-focused scientists alongside additional interviews with practitioners (n = 46) to explore what might lead scientists to obtain help with tasks such as identifying goals and creating evidence-based strategies to achieve those goals. We find that the communication support scientists tend to receive is often limited to tactical-level tasks and that few scientists have had opportunities to work with someone with expertise in helping identify and pursue concrete communication goals.