A Job Demands-Resources Perspective on Science Communication: How Public Engagement Shapes Scientist Communicators’ Well-Being

Scientists are increasingly expected to engage public audiences, yet little is known about how this work shapes their well-being. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with scientist communicators and guided by the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, this study examines demands and resources scientists associate with public communication. Findings reveal that demands including time pressure, harassment, reputational risk, and unsupportive institutional practices substantially outweigh available resources, including training and institutional support. Evidence of burnout and disengagement suggests these conditions are unsustainable. We discuss implications for science communication infrastructure, pedagogy, and the utility of the JD-R model as an organizing framework for this inquiry.