What does this research mean for the field?

American scientists are more likely to engage in advocacy-oriented communication with policymakers than technical communication, and while political ideology influences the range of endorsed communication activities, it has little impact on actual communication practices. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate how American scientists perceive and practice policy-related communication, and to examine how recruitment and political ideology affect this engagement.

August 30, 2026Science Communication

Scientific Ideals Versus Action: American Scientists’ Perspectives on Communicating With Policymakers

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Authors

EFErin B. FitzColorado State University DSDominik StecułaThe Ohio State University ESElizabeth SuhayJohnson & Johnson (United States)

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Survey study reveals higher engagement in advocacy over technical communication among American scientists, highlighting structural recruitment gaps and ideological influences.

Key Points

To evaluate how American scientists perceive and practice policy-related communication, and to examine how recruitment and political ideology affect this engagement.
Surveyed American scientists to assess attitudes, recruitment patterns, and self-reported engagement across technical and advocacy-oriented policy interactions.
Evaluated the relationship between scientists' political ideology and their endorsement versus practical enactment of communication activities with policymakers.
Both technical advising and advocacy communication were broadly supported, but scientists participated in advocacy more frequently, partly driven by higher recruitment into advocacy roles.
Left-leaning scientists endorsed a wider spectrum of communication activities with policymakers than conservative colleagues, yet ideological differences were substantially less pronounced in actual practice.

Cite This Study

Fitz et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a93f0696c1a8fb52e79c8a6 https://doi.org/10.1177/10755470261481022

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August 30, 2026Science Communication

Scientific Ideals Versus Action: American Scientists’ Perspectives on Communicating With Policymakers

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

EFErin B. FitzColorado State University DSDominik StecułaThe Ohio State University ESElizabeth SuhayJohnson & Johnson (United States)

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Survey study reveals higher engagement in advocacy over technical communication among American scientists, highlighting structural recruitment gaps and ideological influences.

Key Points

To evaluate how American scientists perceive and practice policy-related communication, and to examine how recruitment and political ideology affect this engagement.
Surveyed American scientists to assess attitudes, recruitment patterns, and self-reported engagement across technical and advocacy-oriented policy interactions.
Evaluated the relationship between scientists' political ideology and their endorsement versus practical enactment of communication activities with policymakers.
Both technical advising and advocacy communication were broadly supported, but scientists participated in advocacy more frequently, partly driven by higher recruitment into advocacy roles.
Left-leaning scientists endorsed a wider spectrum of communication activities with policymakers than conservative colleagues, yet ideological differences were substantially less pronounced in actual practice.

Cite This Study

Fitz et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a93f0696c1a8fb52e79c8a6 https://doi.org/10.1177/10755470261481022

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