Spreading Scientific Knowledge to Every Corner of Society — Science Communication Forum Jointly Sponsored by Shimadzu Corporation and Doshisha University —

Back row, from the left: Ryo Takegawa from Shimadzu Corporation and Assistant Professor Taichi Masu from the Harris Science Research Institute at Doshisha University
Front row, from the left: Takushi Yamamoto from Shimadzu Corporation, Hiromi Minoda from Shiseido Company, Limited (hereafter Shiseido), and Akihito Korenaga from Shimadzu Corporation

On December 19, 2024, a symposium for considering science communication, entitled “Creating Effective Science Communications within Corporate Activities,” was held at the Doshisha University Imadegawa Campus, with presentations given by three Shimadzu employees. The following is a report from that symposium.

“Science Communicators” are Personnel that Serve as Bridges between Science and Society

Today, the easier accessibility of information allows anyone to obtain scientific knowledge with minimal effort. Due to the complexity of science, however, it is also true that incorrect interpretations have been spreading and resulting in an increasing number of people who are swayed by disinformation and rumors. Therefore, what is needed is the presence of science communicators.

The Doshisha University Science Communicator Development Program was established as a sub-major due to the passion of Professor Noriko Noguchi. Professor Noguchi explained, “In recent years, we have been faced with increasingly frequent situations that require making important decisions based on scientific knowledge, such as the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake or the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, there is an urgent need to spread science literacy to every corner of society. That is why I felt it was important to cultivate ‘science communicators’ who can function as a bridge between science and society, and why we established the Science Communicator Development Program as a sub-major.”

Assistant Professor Taichi Masu from the Harris Science Research Institute, who served as the forum moderator, pointed out that “conveying complex scientific knowledge to the general public in an easily understandable way is not the only function of science communicators. The content and recipients of science communications should be changed and the required skills varied depending on the target audience and purpose of communication. The forum is intended to consider how science communication is utilized in the real world.”

“Science Communicator” is Not a Job But Rather a Function and Role

Opening remarks were presented by Hiromi Minoda, from the DE&I Strategy Acceleration Department at Shiseido, who has made science communication her life’s work.

Just after she started researching her graduation thesis at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Ms. Minoda’s life changed direction when her thesis supervisor in the Faculty of Agriculture told her “Your personality is not suited for being a researcher.” That resulted in learning about and pursuing “science communication” as a new communication approach that could leverage her strength in science.

Even after joining Shiseido as a researcher, for 16 years she developed her science communicator skills through activities such as organizing science cafés on the weekends as a hobby. Ms. Minoda explained that “science communicator” is not a job or vocation, but rather an occupational function and role. It involves skills that anyone can acquire and that can be beneficial for any company, department, or profession.

Considering the Current State of Science Communication as a Company Based on a Corporate Philosophy of “Contributing to Society through Science and Technology”

Then three Shimadzu employees joined Assistant Professor Masu and Ms. Minoda at the podium to engage in a discussion. The Shimadzu representatives presented examples of science communication at Shimadzu, such as publishing “Application News” bulletins and hosting webinars about analytical and measuring instrument applications, sponsoring annual technology fairs for engineers at Shimadzu, organizing “Ig Shimadzu Ideathon” brainstorming workshops for promoting a broad range of ideas without regard for business potential, creating “Shimadzu Knowledge Village” for sharing knowledge that is dispersed throughout the company, and WONDER POWDER artworks for communicating the appeal of science to the general public. In response to the presentations by Shimadzu personnel, Assistant Professor Masu and Ms. Minoda probed deeper and summarized the key elements for science communication in the context of corporate activities.

Engaging in Science Communication without Even Realizing It

Assistant Professor Masu concluded the forum by saying, “During the process of conducting interviews at Shimadzu Corporation to carry out the plans for this forum, I learned that there is a wide variety of science communication that occurs within the company. If science communicator were to be expressed with one word, it would be ‘catalyst.’ Just as a catalyst can accelerate chemical reactions by making it easier for substances to bond, science communicators serve as a hub that provides an assisting presence. Imagining how many more people at Shimadzu are already unknowingly engaged in science communication than just those who spoke today has made me realize the depth of that process.”