The research we do has the power to improve lives, shape policy, and enhance performance, but its impact depends on how effectively it is communicated. Good science communication helps bridge the gap between researchers, practitioners, and the public, ensuring that evidence is understood and applied appropriately.
I recently had the opportunity to travel to the Francis Crick Institute, London with Professor Vicky Tolfrey from the Centre for Para and Disability Sport Innovation (Loughborough University) to attend a live recording of A Question of Science hosted by Prof. Brian Cox. The episode explored the topic “What Sport Science Can We Trust?” and featured an expert panel including Prof. Greg Whyte, Prof. Vicky Tolfrey, Prof. Andy Jones, and Olympic rowing champion Helen Glover. The discussion was shaped by questions that had been pre-selected from the audience, allowing the panel to address topics of genuine public interest.
The event highlighted the importance of making scientific evidence accessible and engaging. Sport science is a field that attracts significant media attention, yet the public is often presented with conflicting messages about training methods, nutrition, recovery, and performance. Through open discussion, the panel demonstrated how scientific knowledge is developed, challenged, and refined over time.
Prof. Tolfrey commented: “Good science communication is essential if we want research to make a real-world difference. Whether we’re working with athletes, coaches, healthcare professionals, policymakers, or the wider public, evidence only has impact when it is understood and applied appropriately. Events such as this provide an excellent platform to discuss what we know, what we are still learning, and why scientific understanding evolves over time. It was particularly encouraging to see Para sport included in the discussion, including a question on whether sports science principles should be used in rehabilitation. Framing manual wheelchair users as ‘everyday athletes’ reinforces the importance of balancing performance, load, and recovery across all settings. Para sport also creates a unique opportunity for rehabilitation scientists, sport scientists, engineers, and practitioners to collaborate, developing shared measures and practical solutions that can benefit people across the wheelchair mobility continuum.”
Events such as this podcast recording play an important role in building trust in science. They provide opportunities for researchers to explain complex concepts in clear language, discuss the strengths and limitations of evidence, and tackle misconceptions directly. They also allow audiences to engage with experts and better understand how scientific conclusions are reached.
For researchers, effective science communication is not simply about sharing results; it is about creating meaningful conversations that help evidence reach the people who can benefit from it. Whether through podcasts, public lectures, social media, or community engagement, clear communication ensures that science remains relevant, transparent, and impactful.
Attending the recording was a valuable reminder that good science communication is essential in helping society make informed decisions and in ensuring that research has influence beyond the laboratory.
The podcast is due for release in October 2026.
About the author
Dr Kristen (Kris) Clements is a Translation Lead specialising in public health, rehabilitation, and patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE). She began her career as a research scientist in musculoskeletal biology, completing academic and industry roles at Imperial College London, Cornell University, AstraZeneca, and MARS Petcare, where she worked on research programmes in inflammation, osteoarthritis, and metabolic health. Kris joined Loughborough University in 2012, moving into a professional services research development and cross‑sector partnership building role before joining SSEHS in 2015 as a senior translational scientist. Kris was appointed to the role of Translation Lead in 2024 and works on programmes across public health, evaluation, implementation science, and knowledge mobilisation.