Looking for experts beyond our cultural and geographic ‘bubble’

Scientific journalism often suffers from a Eurocentric bias, limiting the diversity of expert voices and perspectives. By actively seeking out researchers from different geographical and cultural backgrounds, journalists can create more comprehensive and accurate scientific reporting.

A sad feature of much scientific journalism is its Eurocentric and U.S.-centric focus. Journalists often default to discussing science produced in Western institutions and interviewing experts from Europe or the United States. Several factors drive this implicit bias – for instance, scientific production is primarily concentrated in these regions, with most corresponding authors affiliated with EU or U.S. institutions. Another key factor is linguistic bias: much scientific journalism is conducted in English, reflecting the same bias present in academia. As a result, Western journalists – especially native English speakers – find it easier to engage with experts who share their linguistic background.

However convenient, this narrow geographical focus can be a major drawback. It risks presenting a limited perspective on scientific and social issues, excluding valuable voices and insights from other world regions.

This concern is the focus of the article by journalist Karen Emslie, published as part of the organisation The Open Notebook’s “Diverse Voices” series. In her piece, Emslie argues that failing to include geographically, linguistically, and culturally diverse voices in science reporting not only distorts the representation of the scientific process but can also lead to the spread of inaccurate scientific information. Moreover, it reinforces the Western-centric, anglophone ‘bubble’ in which many journalists and even many readers are unconsciously immersed.

To make science reporting more inclusive and address the visibility challenges faced by many non-Western scientists and non-English research, Emslie offers several strategies:

• Expanding expert searches: Journalists can leverage their academic contacts to actively seek out “lesser-heard colleagues or more junior scientists”. If experts from a particular region are hard to find, reaching out to local science journalists for recommendations can be helpful. Social media can also serve as a valuable tool for making connections or drawing inspiration from colleagues’ networks.
• Overcoming linguistic bias in research: Academic search engines often reflect linguistic biases, but journalists can maximise their usefulness by filtering searches by geographic location or language. This approach can uncover underrepresented scientists and their work.
• Navigating intercultural communication: Emslie notes that “patience and open-mindedness are key” when engaging with international and intercultural sources. Some scientists may be unfamiliar with or sceptical of science communication, while others may have specific preferences or needs regarding how interviews are conducted. Additional challenges – such as time zone differences, language barriers, unreliable internet connectivity, or difficult social conditions – may stretch the reporting timeline.

Despite these challenges, Emslie argues that the effort is worthwhile: “There’s no replacement for hearing a firsthand account of scientific efforts from the place they’re being done.” Moreover, “the skills picked up in overcoming some of these logistical hurdles can make reporters better at their jobs even when interviewing sources closer to home.”

To further support journalists and science communicators in finding non-Western experts, Emslie also provided a list of resources facilitating access to diverse voices. Below are some of these resources to foster inclusion in science communication.

Global Resources:

• International Science Council: A network of scientific organisations and academies worldwide [full list]
• CarbonBrief’s expert database: A resource designed to help journalists connect with scientists and experts in climate science, climate policy and energy from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Pacific [full database]
• Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD): A UNESCO-affiliated organisation supporting women scientists in developing countries [list of members]
• Global Young Academy: A platform that provides visibility to young scholars and early-career researchers [full list]

African Resources:

• African scientific academies: A list of the 29 scientific academies across the continent, listed by country [full list]
• SourceHer!: A directory of African women experts across various fields [full database]
• Quote This Woman+: An intersectional feminist organisation that promotes “women+ voices and narratives that reflect African demographics and perspectives” [database]

Asian Resources:

• Chinese Academy of Sciences: A database of its members [database]
• Association of Academies and Societies of Sciences in Asia: A collection of publications by its members [full list]

Latin-American Resources:

• Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO): an open-access database of Latin-American publications and researchers in English, Spanish, and Portuguese [database]
• Pan American Health Organization of the World Health Organization media office: A resource that connects journalists and Latin-American health experts [contacts]

Further reading: Expanding the Geographical Borders of Your Source List