Resilient freshwater systems and the resilience of the people who study them, communicate about them, and care for them go hand in hand. Yet science is often presented as objective and detached, while the humans who do science and communicate it are subjective and deeply connected. How do scientists and science communicators navigate the muddy waters of public engagement—especially around emotional and contentious topics—while remaining resilient and grounded?
Drawing on experiences of scientists and science communicators across disciplines and career stages, this talk explores concrete ways to forge forward in challenging times. Rather than framing resilience as individual toughness or emotional distance, it offers a more sustainable approach rooted in care, connection, and shared purpose.
At its core, this talk argues that staying human is not a liability in science or science communication—it is the point.