Rebuilding (or Building) Public Trust in Science | Caitlin Looby | TEDxOshkosh - Video

Public trust in science has hit a low point, and the best way to fix this is to start meeting people where they are. This talk proposes the solution that universities and other scientific institutions, and media outlets need to start working together to break down barriers and improve the relationship between scientists, journalists, and thus the public. On the whole, scientific institutions need to prioritize and incentivize scientists who actively engage in science communications efforts beyond a strictly academic focus. In order to better engage the general public, efforts must also be made to localize scientific research and show each community how it is impacting them.


Caitlin Looby is a scientist turned journalist based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She spent more than a decade hiking up mountains in tropical cloud forests to study microbes, soil, and climate change. Now she covers the Great Lakes for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Before coming to Wisconsin, she taught science communication, developed workshops and trained scientists on how to engage with the public at the University of Minnesota. As a science writer, she’s written for radio, university media, national outlets, local outlets, magazines and paddling brands.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Connecticut, a master’s degree in biotechnology from Kean University and a doctorate degree in biology from the University of California, Irvine.

Caitlin spends her free time outdoors, paddling, hiking, camping and playing with her two dogs, Odessa and Olivia. Fun fact: She’s lived in every time zone in the continental US. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx