There are many methods to strengthen how scientists communicate with the public; however, this thesis focuses on two approaches that directly improve accessibility to research and are increasingly common across STEM: open access publishing and graphical abstracts. I chose these topics because both aim to reduce barriers that prevent diverse audiences and are currently experiencing a steady rise in use in STEM fields.
Chapter 1 surveys the current statistical landscape of open access across STEM disciplines, highlighting key drivers behind existing publication patterns and the benefits open access can offer to both research and researchers. Chapter 2 reports on the prevalence and effectiveness of visual abstracts and provides practical guidelines for designing graphical abstracts that support comprehension and engagement. Finally, Chapter 3 utilizes conservation biology as a framework to illustrate why pairing open access with visual communication can strengthen the connection between science and society, and why these strategies are broadly applicable across STEM fields.
Chapter 1 surveys the current statistical landscape of open access across STEM disciplines, highlighting key drivers behind existing publication patterns and the benefits open access can offer to both research and researchers. Chapter 2 reports on the prevalence and effectiveness of visual abstracts and provides practical guidelines for designing graphical abstracts that support comprehension and engagement. Finally, Chapter 3 utilizes conservation biology as a framework to illustrate why pairing open access with visual communication can strengthen the connection between science and society, and why these strategies are broadly applicable across STEM fields.