Communicating Science »
When presenting at a conference, writing a lay abstract, sharing findings to the public, or speaking to a friend, effective science communication is key to maximizing the impact of research.
While many scientists are experts in their respective fields, communicating their work to those who don’t have their expertise can be challenging. Basic and translational cancer research that often occurs far removed from the public can be especially difficult to communicate.
Despite this, it is imperative that basic and translational cancer researchers effectively share their work, especially with individuals and communities who bear the largest brunt of cancer disparities. Historically and still today, basic and translational cancer research has struggled to meaningfully engage diverse communities.
The clear communication of science ultimately represents one step towards producing more inclusive, equitable, and impactful cancer research. Above are a number of resources that might be used to move towards this step.
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Bias & the Research Pipeline »
Despite the push for impartiality and objectivity in basic, translational, and clinical research, the scientific pipeline — from funding mechanism, to study design, to dissemination — is filled with biases. Recognizing and addressing these biases can help contribute to the production of better, more impactful, and more equitable research.
As you conduct your own research, questions to think about might include:
- How is the research being funded? And who is being funded?
- Who is doing the research? And who trained the research team?
- How is the study protocol being developed? Who is included in this process? Who is not?
- Who is participating in the study? Who is not? Who is being excluded?
- Who is interpreting and analyzing the data?
- How and where are findings being disseminated? Who has access to them?
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Scientific Research & (Mis) trust »
Today, medical/scientific mistrust represents a large barrier to the progress of cancer research and health equity.
Trust is pivotal to meaningful research, yet research and medical institutions have struggled to address the mistrust that they have created among communities of color and other marginalized people.
Both research institutions and researchers themselves can work to promote trust on small and large scales every day.
Understanding the past for its role in mistrust today is incredibly important. Attention must also be paid, however, to discriminatory hospital and research practices, policies, and systems that continue to create and maintain mistrust today.
The resources on this page look backwards and forwards in time to identify sources of mistrust and to help develop strategies to build trust.
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Cancer Disparities & Chicago »
Chicago is home to both groundbreaking cancer research and wide cancer disparities. Communities of color in Chicago, particularly on the West and South Sides of the city, bear the largest brunt of cancer disparities. Meaningful basic, translational, and clinical cancer research can contribute to reducing these disparities.
Above are resources that shed light on present cancer disparities and some initiatives that are working to fight them.