'Nancy Baron has been helping scientists talk to the media and to their public patrons for a decade.Her extraordinary leadership has changed the lives of young scientists here she has produced a book that will help both senior scientists and their students.to deal with journalists, interviewers, the Rotary Club, and even Congressional committees.'-Donald Kennedy, Editor of 'Science' magazine 2000-2008, Commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration 'Nancy Baron is a master of the art of science communication. The book is accompanied by an interactive website maintained by Baron herself. Many of her trainees have gone on to become well-known spokespeople for science-related issues. The book includes case studies from journalists and from some of the more than 4,000 scientists Baron has trained in communication workshops.

She explains to journalists how to develop the same skills for explaining science. In this clear and understandable guide to 'communicating science', Baron explains to scientists how to engage an audience, how to tell why a particular finding matters, and how to describe research in an interesting way. Speaking effectively to journalists and policymakers - the people who make scientists' findings available to the general public - requires scientists to learn a new language. According to Baron, scientists, journalists and policymakers represent three very different cultures. Developing these skills is the object of this book. No matter what your scientific specialty is, writes Baron, the keys to success are thinking clearly, knowing what you want to say, understanding your audience, and using everyday language to get your main points across. As Nancy Baron points out, scientists who decide they want to inform those outside their own research arena and help guide public discourse need to learn a new set of skills.

And many researchers have the horror stories to prove it. Most scientists and researchers aren't prepared to talk to the press or to policymakers - or to deal with backlash.

Nancy baron escape from the ivory tower