The Importance of Science Communication for Early Career Researchers (ECRs)
- Post by: Editor
- April 28, 2025
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Effective science communication is essential for Early Career Researchers (ECRs) to broaden the impact of their work, build professional networks, and contribute meaningfully to public understanding and policy development.
Recently, an early career researcher asked me a very honest question:
“I have done good research — so why aren’t my papers getting citations?”
I shared a piece of advice that I believe many ECRs need to hear:
You dedicate months (even years) reading papers, running experiments, and writing articles — but how much time do you spend communicating with the researchers whose work you cite or read?
Research is not just about generating new knowledge. It’s also about being part of a conversation — a global dialogue among scientists.
I advised them: Do critical reading.
Understand not just what the author wrote, but why they framed their work the way they did. (Click to watch and learn more about Critical Reading)
Reach out. Email authors whose work you reference. Tell them you appreciated their research, share your thoughts, and even respectfully highlight where you think there are gaps or new opportunities.
Build relationships. If you engage with researchers around the world, they will start discovering your work too — and that’s how citations, collaborations, and opportunities naturally grow.
The researcher appreciated this advice and started seeing a shift in their academic engagement. That conversation inspired me to share this experience here for the benefit of others.
Science communication is not an “extra” skill for researchers — it is an essential part of building a meaningful research career.
If you’re an early career researcher, don’t wait for your work to be found. Start communicating.
Watch to know more about Research as a Professional Career (Writing, Editing, Publishing – Skills of a Researcher.
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