We should be drawing on science and hard data as we decide what to do about climate change. But these decisions aren’t just for the science community to make. The public needs to understand the science and to be part of that conversation.

Now more than ever, scientists need to be approachable. Those of us making the discoveries must work together with the people making the decisions, as well as the people impacted most by those decisions.

One highlight of my career was participating as a 2011 fellow in the Leopold Leadership Program. I’m excited to be part of a global network of scientists who are dedicated to improving science communication and engagement.

In the meantime, I’ve learned a number of dos and don’ts about engaging with the public. Some of the tips I’ve learned most recently come from the Leshner Institute for Public Engagement at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), where I was a fellow in 2016-2017. I recommend their resources and experts. I also recommend tools, resources, and trainings from COMPASS, a NGO focused on preparing scientists to have impact.

We also develop and foster environmental communicators in the institute I direct, through our Environmental Media Lab and our online magazine, Ensia. We also work with early-career researchers through our Associates Program to develop innovations and capabilities for engagement among some of the brightest scholars at the University of Minnesota.

Here are some op-eds I have written and other musings on public engagement in science:

• Q&A on Public Engagement for the Ecological Society of America
• Engagement 2.0: Increasing our Collective Impact
• Bridging the Science-to-Society Gap #reachingoutsci
• Finding Time for Outreach #reachingoutsci
• Unclogging Conduits between Research and Outreach #reachingoutsci

And some recent opinions about environment and society I have written for public consumption:

• Include Nature in Infrastructure to Make America Great
• Historic Paris Compact Reached–Experts React
• Everyone Knows that Climate Change Adaptation is Crucial, but Beyond that it’s Pretty Hazy
• We are Entering a New Era of Migration–and Not Just for People

For more discussion about science, society and environment, follow me on Twitter at @jessicahellmann and Facebook.