Interview with Brett Hooton: “It is of utmost importance that scientists use their voices to confront distrust of science head on.”

Brett Hooton is the Director Communications and Operations Research and Innovation (R+I) at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, and Falling Walls Engage Hub Canada Manager. Founded in 1821, McGill is one of Canada’s best-known institutions of higher learning and one of the leading universities in the world. With students from over 150 countries, it is the most internationally diverse of any research-intensive university in the country. He talks with us about the field of Science Engagement, his understanding of it and the importance of  an International Year of Science Engagement.

What is Science Engagement to you and why is it important?

Like curiosity-driven research, Science Engagement doesn’t necessarily have a pre-set outcome. Engaging in science presents opportunities to discover the creativity that drives work in the STEM fields. Being in a communications role at one of the world’s best research-intensive universities, I have the great privilege of helping to tell the stories of the individuals and teams who make an impact on society through science. I believe that by accessing science through storytelling, it becomes a powerful tool in making the case for science-based policies that will help governments meet global challenges, such as climate change, economic inequity, and pandemic response.

Regardless of background, geography, or circumstances, science impacts every person. What’s more, I believe, everyone possesses an innate understanding of the importance of science to our world. Indigenous people, for example, have demonstrated this deep understanding in centuries-long efforts to protect biodiversity, long before universities or research institutions existed. Today, we don’t have to look far to find examples of scientists who are pushing the envelop in research while valuing the unique perspectives they and others bring to the work. The most successful Science Engagement efforts—and what we should strive for in all public discourse—is to value all voices equally. In this model, the scientist is not elevated above the audience. Falling Walls’ global platform for Science Engagement is a great example of greater inclusivity in science.

How does Science Engagement improve the understanding and trust in science?

By the simple fact that through effective communication, complex ideas are more easily understood. And when we can integrate knowledge, solutions become more attainable. If it is relatable, scientific knowledge can dispel myths and instill confidence in new ideas. The introduction of mRNA vaccines is a great example of the need to strive for visibility and transparency about the methodologies and results of scientific research.

How can Science Engagement contribute to tackling local to global challenges aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals?

With any problem, big or small, we must start somewhere. When we can envision the positive outcomes of science-based decision making, we are more likely to feel motivated to make the changes required to tackle global challenges like climate change. A fantastic example of Science Engagement in action is McGill’s Sustainability Projects Fund, the largest fund of its kind in Canada. Integrating research in sustainability and climate change mitigation, with initiatives led by students, faculty, and staff, the Sustainability Fund supports projects that make an immediate, concrete difference in the community. I am thinking of one such funded project that got its start at McGill – ‘Ecole-O-Champ,’ a non-profit organization that offers science-based agricultural education in Quebec. It shows how we can use science to solve problems.

Generally speaking, which participatory and co-creation approaches can Science Engagement practitioners implement to tackle global challenges?

Science engagers must give voice to non-traditional forms of knowledge and scientific backgrounds. There are many people who might not have a traditional academic background but who have a deep understanding of their environment and the issues facing their communities. Taking this approach means valuing indigenous perspectives, insights from the developing world, and other marginalized or equity-deserving groups. Great ideas can come from unexpected places.

How do you and McGill University contribute to Science Engagement in particular?

McGill is known worldwide as a great research university with one of the most international student bodies in Canada. On all our campuses, scientists are making ground-breaking discoveries or building on existing knowledge – and our students, faculty and staff are ambassadors for the power of these ideas. Working in tandem with researchers is an incredible team of student and staff communicators. A unique venture at McGill is the Office of Science and Society (OSS). Its mission is to “demystify science for the public and separate sense from nonsense.” Among other activities, the OSS hosts the Trottier Public Science Symposium, one of McGill’s largest annual public events, that focuses on science-related topics of current public interest by renowned experts. But really, the examples are limitless, which makes McGill an inspiring community for all of us.

How can we further develop and grow the Science Engagement field?

Universities should strive to diversify how they recognize and reward community service by their faculty members. Science Engagement work should be valued and taken into consideration during hiring and tenure processes, as a form of service. Such an approach would ultimately lead to more diversity among faculty, and support career paths that do not follow the traditional approaches to education, research, grants, and publishing in academic journals.

Imagine five years from now – what change would you like to see in the field of Science Engagement? Do you think having a dedicated International Year of Science Engagement is important and will contribute to the development of the Science Engagement field?

More of it! It is of utmost importance that scientists use their voices to confront distrust of science head on. The International Year of Science Engagement is exactly the sort of initiative we need to raise awareness of the importance of science. Given a platform, scientists will gain confidence and experience in talking to the public about their work.

Which approaches should be part of an International Year of Science Engagement?

We need to continue to support women and girls in science, particularly in male-dominated fields like engineering and physics. At McGill, we have amazing female role models in every field of science, and I hope we can inspire more girls and women to pursue their passion for science. I hope that IYSE will also highlight the creativity that drives the hard sciences. Often, we attribute creativity and imagination to the arts, the social sciences, and humanities. In my opinion, the abstract theoretical speculation and problem solving that drives the study of the Universe is analogous to artistic inspiration. Finally, it is important to highlight initiatives that have led to policy changes the world over and to consider how we can better communicate science to decision makers.

To conclude, we would like to ask you a personal question: What is your most emotional story related to a Science Engagement project?

Another important lecture at McGill is the Beatty Lecture, established in 1954—one of the longest running in Canada. My team organizes this lecture and so I have had the opportunity to meet some of the world’s leading scientists, including Anthony Fauci in 2021. As we have observed over the course of the pandemic, Dr. Fauci brought a frank and engaging perspective on the course and future of the pandemic. I must also mention that in 2019 the Beatty hosted Jane Goodall, and the opportunity to meet her was most inspiring. Role models like Jane inspire people of all ages to make a difference.

Thank you for your time and effort. We look forward to working with you and McGill University, to a successful IYSE 2027.