Austen and Einstein Offer Lessons in Science Communication

A science communication article published on October 20, 2026, argues that research gains meaning for the public when scientists link discoveries to people’s experiences, concerns and aspirations. Kumuthini Chandrasekaram, a Research Officer at the Universiti Malaya Power Energy Dedicated Centre (UMPEDAC), Universiti Malaya (UM), says communication must do more than present findings or simplify technical reports.

Connecting science to daily life

Chandrasekaram considers Jane Austen and Albert Einstein as she explores how researchers can make science understandable and relevant. Austen, a novelist who explored human behaviour, examined in Pride and Prejudice how pride and perception shape relationships. The article draws a lesson from her work: assumptions about what others understand can block the sharing of knowledge.

Einstein, the physicist who transformed understanding of the universe, is popularly linked to the idea that people should be able to explain complex concepts in simple terms. The article quotes a saying attributed to him: “One does not truly understand something unless one can explain it to one's grandmother.” Clear explanations, it says, can make knowledge accessible without sacrificing scientific rigour.

Are scientists communicating with people, or just talking at them? The article offers photovoltaic cells as an example: a scientist might explain their physics, while a family weighing solar panels may care more about lowering electricity bills, handling Malaysia's hot climate and living more sustainably. The science doesn't change, but researchers can present it in ways that reflect what matters to their audience.

From dissemination to participation

For years, science communication has meant experts disseminating information to the public. Classrooms, public lectures and scientific presentations share established knowledge, but this one-way approach may leave little space for questions, discussion or alternative perspectives.

Public participation gives people opportunities to question, discuss and contribute. According to the article, people understand science through their cultural backgrounds, education, experiences and community concerns. Listening to those perspectives can help researchers communicate effectively and address questions that matter to society. Researchers can combine dissemination and participation, depending on the audience and purpose.

Effective communication can cultivate curiosity, support evidence-based decisions, inform public policy and build trust between science and society. The article says educators, institutions, policymakers and communities all have roles in creating opportunities for dialogue and participation.

Making STEM approachable

Some students, the piece says, see science as unfamiliar terminology, complicated equations and facts to memorise. When they don't see links between science and everyday life, curiosity may give way to apprehension.

A lesson on renewable energy could ask why solar panels perform differently as weather changes. Students could investigate how sunlight and temperature affect performance, explore materials used in solar cells and learn how researchers improve energy generation. Interactive demonstrations, storytelling, digital platforms and conversations with researchers can make concepts more approachable and encourage students to ask questions and test ideas.

The meeting between Austen and Einstein is imaginary. Austen prompts scientists to question assumptions about what others know, while Einstein's popular association with simple explanations highlights comprehensibility. Chandrasekaram argues that people should value research not only for publications, patents or laboratory breakthroughs, but also for how it informs decisions, improves lives and inspires future generations. The article describes science as a conversation where people can learn, question and contribute when researchers communicate without prejudice and audiences engage without intimidation.

The article says it reflects the personal opinion of the writer or publication and doesn't necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.