Why is that? In thinking a fair bit about this question in recent years, I think it partly stems from our training. In graduate school basic scientists are taught a lot about how to do science: how to design a study, how to carry out specific laboratory techniques, how to analyze data, how to write scientific papers, how to present at conferences, how to write scientific grants. But in my experience, far fewer of us receive formal training in how to effectively engage with our research participants, beyond human subjects ethics and IRB training. Even fewer of us are taught how to make our science interesting and engaging to nonscientists, or how to write and give talks to community audiences. And the way we think about and carry out our research clearly reflects that.
