Ateneo webinar underscores the power of science communication across disciplines

Ateneo de Manila University reaffirmed its commitment to research in the service of society through the webinar “Going Beyond Research: Translating Research into Advocacy,” which gathered faculty, researchers, and communicators from diverse disciplines to explore how scientific knowledge can be better shared, understood, and applied for the public good.

The event was jointly organized by the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH) and its Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI); the Office of the Associate Vice President for Research, Creative Work, and Innovation (OAVP-RCWI); the Philippine Society for Public Health Physicians; and Science Communicators Philippines (SciCommPH). It forms part of the Ateneo’s continuing effort to build a community that values science as a means of both discovery and dialogue towards informed decision-making.

In her opening remarks, ACRI Director Dr. Lourdes Bernadette Sumpaico-Tanchanco welcomed participants by emphasizing that research attains its true value only when it resonates with people’s lives. She urged scholars to “bridge the gap between discovery and lived experience,” stressing that storytelling, advocacy, and collaboration are not peripheral to research but essential to its purpose. “As researchers and scholars, our responsibility goes beyond publication and data,” she said. “It is to ensure that our findings empower communities, inform policy, and inspire action.”

Opening the afternoon was Timothy James Dimacali of the OAVP-RCWI and SciCommPH with his presentation, “Storytelling Science: The Art of Storycraft in Science Communication.” Drawing from his experience as a journalist and science communicator, Dimacali explained that storytelling is not a distraction from research but a vital part of it. “People care about people,” he said. “If we can show the human story behind data, we help others see why science matters.” He demonstrated how narratives anchored on empathy and curiosity make complex ideas relatable in fields as diverse as medical research, environmental change, and technological innovation.

Hazel Ivy Jeremias of the ASMPH followed with “Translating Health Research into Advocacy and Policy.” She discussed the process of bridging academic work with government and community initiatives, emphasizing that advocacy grounded in evidence can transform public health systems. Jeremias encouraged fellow researchers to “go beyond publication” by sharing findings through partnerships, accessible language, and sustained engagement with stakeholders.

Both talks highlighted the value of science communication in medicine and beyond: it is equally essential in fields such as climate science, engineering, the social sciences, and the humanities—areas where data and policy intersect with everyday life. The speakers noted that effective communication helps prevent misinformation, fosters informed citizenship, and ensures that academic research fulfills its social mission of bringing light to the world.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Filomeno V. Aguilar Jr. of the OAVP-RCWI lauded ACRI and ASMPH for exemplifying this ideal. “You bring medical science to the people,” he said, “and in doing so, you bring Ateneo’s light to the nation.” He reminded the audience that research finds its true value only when it enlightens minds and uplifts lives. “Science communication,” Dr. Aguilar stressed, “is a civic duty. It builds trust, fosters understanding, and turns knowledge into compassion.”

Moderated by Dr. Theo Prudencio Juhani Z. Capeding of the ASMPH, the webinar was capped with a call to strengthen collaboration across disciplines so that the university’s research may continue to illuminate society. In this spirit, he exhorted the participants to go beyond research so as to make every discovery a shared act of service for others.