Speaking Up for Science: SBM Trains Members to Combat Misinformation

Michael A. Diefenbach, PhD, FSBM - Development Council Chair

Dear Members:

Our rapidly deteriorating and fragmented media and information environment makes communicating science very challenging. Funding cuts have affected all of us, important data collection initiatives have been terminated, and on the highest political level science is misrepresented to the public. As experts in behavioral science, we need to defend our science and stand up against misinformation and misrepresentation of our work. 

The Need for Op-Eds

Rather than hoping that our scientific work will be interpreted and used in the intended manner, it has become necessary to communicate directly with the public, especially in the current environment.  SBM supports the use of all communication channels, such as Op-Eds, blogs and podcasts. Op-eds, especially, serve as a conduit for sharing our research with wider audiences, influencing policymakers, and educating the public on advancements and challenges in our science. Most importantly, Op-eds can make our science personal and relatable. 

The Op-Ed Project: A Transformative Opportunity

I am delighted to tell you about the Op-Ed Project, an empowering initiative designed to equip our members with the skills needed to effectively communicate their expertise to the public. Thanks to the generosity of our Science Communication Fund donors, the Society will sponsor 55 members to participate in a virtual “Write to Change the World” workshop scheduled for June 17-18, 2025. This high-impact, donor-funded training will be led by seasoned journalists and media leaders, providing participants with strategic op-ed writing skills and a full month of follow-up support.

It is an incredible testament to the enthusiasm and dedication of our community that all 50 initial slots for the workshop were filled within just three hours of registration opening (we were able to open a waitlist and, thanks to donations, admit all of those individuals as well!). This response underscores the collective need of our members to respond to the tremendous changes in our scientific environment. For those members, who don’t want to jump into Op-Ed writing right away, I recommend you visit SBM’s sci comm toolkit https://www.sbm.org/scicomm/op-eds or check out the Op-Ed project website at https://www.theopedproject.org/. 

Call to Action: Support the Op-Ed Project

I would like to extend my gratitude to all of you who have contributed to SBM’s various missions, but especially to those who have donated to the Science Communication Fund. Organizing the Op-Ed Project for over 50 members eager to communicate science clearly and confidently is a testament to your generosity and commitment to our mission of promoting the critical role of behavioral medicine in building a healthier world. We would like to continue offering more training for our members to help them speak out more effectively, but we need your help. Please consider becoming a monthly donor; just $25 per month can help train the next wave of science communicators. Help SBM members combat misinformation by donating today.  https://www.sbm.org/donate/ 

Joanna Buscemi, PhD, took part in first Op-Ed workshop and mentioned this to me:

“We find ourselves in an era of misinformation, and it is our job to combat this misinformation crisis with our data and by using our voices… Some of our members do not feel they have the skills to effectively write for the public, or they do not even see the ways in which they can get involved in science communication. They might also be afraid to try to engage because their training in graduate school was lacking in this area… I am glad that SBM organizes the training of our members on how to get our science out of our hands and into the hands of those who can have even more impact at a population level.  This is a critical next step for us as a field.”

I have to admit that the response to the workshop gives me hope. Our community is ready to act, and our collective actions will make a difference. Together we can resist efforts of misinformation and champion evidence-based science. Our work has never been more important.

Thank you for your ongoing dedication and continued support.