In this chapter of Career Stories, we bring you the journey of Ankita Rathore who is currently working as a Program Manager-Science Communication at Indiabioscience. In this candid chat, she details her transition from laboratory research to science communication research, shares some of her favourite blogs and also talks about all the meaningful lessons she has learned during her journey so far.
You pursued a Ph.D. at the CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research in New Delhi, India. What motivated you to do a Ph.D. in science and technology communication? Could you briefly talk about your experience so far?
After completing my bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences in 2014 from the University of Delhi- which provided me with a strong background in the subject- I chose to shift my focus to studying science and technology communication in India. During one of my semesters, I studied toxicology and was inspired by the quote from Paracelsus, the Father of Toxicology, which states that “Dose defines Toxicity”. I took this to heart and applied it to my life in general.
Subsequently, I decided to pursue a masters in Toxicology from Jamia Hamdard and was fortunate to be offered a position as a Research Officer (Toxicology) at the Central Insecticide Board-Regulatory Committee in Faridabad, which was a valuable first step in my professional career after graduating.
My inclination was always towards pursuing higher education, so I prepared for the NET exam and cleared it with AIR-48, which gave me the option to begin another adventure. I moved to Mohali, Punjab, to work as a junior research fellow (JRF) at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology, where I investigated nanotechnology-based treatment methods for a type of brain cancer, glioblastoma. During my time as a JRF, I enjoyed reviewing/writing literature, planning experiments, and participating in outreach events, more than the lab bench work itself.
My experience in studying/understanding the public perception of nanotechnology during my PhD was a turning point in my life.
It has been a rewarding journey from being a lab researcher to a science communication researcher. Scientists want to help people, but sometimes they forget that perception of the truth and who is perceiving it is equally critical. My motivation throughout the journey has been to contribute to the science communication landscape in India.
I always quote this from my favourite book (Man’s search for meaning), “He who has a why to live for, can bear almost any how.”
Can you describe your journey/experience as a freelance content writer, including the most rewarding elements of your job as a science communicator? How similar or different are these experiences, and how have you improved your skill set in each of these? Also, when you began your work as a science communicator, what problem did you hope to solve?
A non-linear career path has helped me find roles and work that are a better fit for me with regard to my specific interests and skills. Being a scientist has helped me understand the scientist’s perspective, and my career as a science communicator has taught me invaluable skills needed to communicate science effectively to the general public.
I explored several internships before becoming a full-time science communicator. During my first internship as a Science Communication intern at DBT-Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, I interviewed scientists and tried my hand at writing blogs and social media marketing. I learned that as a science communicator, one needs to wear multiple hats in the workplace and that every day is different. After this internship, I got another opportunity as a content writer for a small gardening business, which mainly honed my time management skills.
Apart from this, I also worked as a content writer for Cactus Communications and wrote a series of articles about the resources needed to navigate a research degree. Here, I mainly got acquainted with the process of editing and reviewing that an article typically goes through, before it’s published online.
In my career in science communication, my goal is to make people think before taking action. Career satisfaction is extremely important to me.
What is your favorite mode of communicating science to the general audience?
In my opinion, written content is the type I enjoy the most when it comes to communicating science. But, I’m a fan of all kinds of content- short pieces (microblogging) like Twitter threads, creative pieces that can be published as Instagram posts, as well as lengthy ones, such as blog posts and interviews.
Since I had long commute to work, podcasts became my go-to source of entertainment – you should definitely check out the Radiolab podcasts , if you haven’t yet done so.
But, since science communication is all about people: the most significant aspect while choosing a mode of communication, is to consider who your primary audience is.
Could you list some of your favourite SciComm blogs?
When I first began, I read a lot of Sophie Talks Science. She documented her life with science and talked to scientists from different areas. It was because of her that I tried to interview researchers in a blog series, which I called ‘Beyond Lab Bench’.
Have you ever heard of PhD comics? I’m a huge fan of them, especially for the amusing take they have on academic life.
This amazing project by Jorge Cham is almost like having a buddy in academia.
And if you’re looking for advice for writing the first review, or submitting a paper to a research journal, the Editage blog is a wonderful resource.
What advice would you provide to other ambitious science communication professionals wishing to change careers? What advice do you wish you had received when you first started out?
If you want to switch gears and become a science communicator, great! But before you dive in headfirst, make sure it’s the right fit for you by starting on a part-time basis. Immerse yourself in the basics and get a solid grasp on the science behind communicating science to the public. And remember, simplifying complex scientific concepts is not the goal – it’s about making science accessible and understandable for everyone.
Starting out as a science communicator in India was a wild ride full of twists and turns. I faced numerous rejections, battled self-doubt, and even heard my lab colleagues question my chosen path. But then, a realisation hit me like a ton of bricks – my work and career don’t define me. Instead, it’s crucial to know when to set boundaries and prioritize our emotional well-being, even amidst tempting growth opportunities and extra tasks. This is something I wish I would have known before!
Don’t fall for the trap and remember, your worth is not tied to your job.
