Bridging the gap: How Sabrina Shankman is shaping science communication and policy

MIT Science Policy Review spoke with Sabrina Shankman, a climate reporter at the Boston Globe, on her efforts to translate new scientific knowledge to the general public. The challenge of science communication exposes a wide gap in academia and industry: scientists often struggle to explain complex findings in accessible language, correct widespread misinformation, or engage with diverse public audiences who may distrust science or lack scientific literacy. It is increasingly important that more emphasis is placed on training scientists in science communication, and that part of the training incorporates expert advice from science journalists and reports. Sabrina Shankman has been a climate reporter at the Boston Globe since 2021. As a reporter, her work is vital in bridging the gap between research and discovery. Her reporting sheds light on the climate crisis and the science and policy work being done at multiple levels to address the issue. In this interview, we talk about Shankman’s trajectory, experience, and challenges as a science reporter in hopes of illuminating this essential field and emphasizing the urgent need for accurate and accessible science communication and meaningful policy measures.