WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR RESEARCH WITH YOUR FAMILY

I have a large family: 4 brothers and sisters, 4 sibling-in-laws, 11 nieces and nephews, and a whole bunch of aunts, uncles, cousins, and “cousins” (relatives with an ambiguous blood line so you just call them “cousin”). When I attend family gatherings, I get a lot of questions. Overtime I have developed vague, rehearsed responses for when I am asked about my PhD at family events:
 
Relative: How is school?
Me: It’s going well, I have no more classes. I am just working in a lab now.
 
Relative: How much longer do you have, a year or so?
Me: Probably three, but it could be four or five.
 
Relative: Oh! And how is research going?
Me: It’s going. Progress is slow but that’s how science works.
 
Relative: What exactly are you researching?
Me: I study cancer. (Usually at this point the relative is satisfied and I move on to another conversation).
 
Recently, my perspective has changed on how I should communicate science with my family. A couple of weeks ago I had lunch with my best PhD-friend, Matty, and his parents. Matty’s parents have master’s degrees in computer science and biology. They are very invested in Matty’s research and it is remarkable how well they empathize with Matty’s (and my) PhD journey. While Matty and I were speaking about some STEM education work, Matty’s mother said something remarkable, “Technically as researchers who are funded by the government, you are public servants. Your work is given to you by taxpayers, with confidence that your research and knowledge will benefit society. It’s important that you share with others what you are doing.”
 
I was awed by this idea. When working in a lab it’s easy to exist in a bubble. My PI, lab mates, and myself rarely discuss research  from the perspective of increasing human intelligence. Rather, it’s more like: “What can we publish?” “When can we publish it?” “How many publications should I have before I graduate?”
 
The idea that I am a public servant has grounded me and has given me purpose. I am not doing research solely to advance my career or to pad my CV. I am doing research to further the collective human knowledge, and I should educate those around me who are interested in my field.
 
When I go home for the holidays this year, I intend to share my PhD and research experiences with my family.  However, there is a problem. Speaking with the average person about science is not easy, but it is a valuable skill to have. Here are some tips for speaking to friends and family about your research:

1. Speak in short sentences. No one wants a lecture. Shorter sentences allow for your family members to ask questions and stay engaged.
2. Easy on the jargon…. even if it means sacrificing some accuracy. I have family members who don’t know what RNA and proteins are (they hear protein and think muscle tissue). I use the word “molecules” instead.
3. Know your audience. I have cousins who are nurses and physical therapists, I can go into more detail about my research with them.  
4. If they aren’t interested, don’t push them. There is no reason to perpetuate disinterest in the sciences by overwhelming your audience with information.  ​
5. Don't be afraid to say "I don't know." When people find out you are a scientist, you may get bombarded with questions outside of your field. Remember to stick with what you know, it's better to admit ignorance than spread misinformation.  

Author

Kerry McPherson, PhD Candidate studying biomedical sciences. Researches proteins implicated in acquired chemoresistance in cancer. Passionate about STEM education outreach, climate change policy advocacy, and inclusivity.