Alliance for African Partnership (AAP) is pleased to welcome Dr. Dikabo Mogopodi, Prof. Taye B. Demissie, and Ms. Inonge Tracy Chibua from the University of Botswana to Michigan State University. The group was hosted by Dr. Susan McFarlane-Alvarez from the Dept. of Advertising and Public Relations at Michigan State University to share outcomes of their joint project “Promoting Science Communication and Engagement through Training and Digital Media Platforms. The collaboration is supported through AAP’s Partnerships for Innovative Research in Africa (PIRA) initiative and brings together expertise in science and strategic communication to explore how researchers can communicate their work more effectively with diverse audiences. The project responds to an important challenge in scientific research: while researchers receive extensive training in conducting research and communicating with other scientists, they may have fewer opportunities to develop the skills needed to communicate complex scientific findings to non-specialist audiences.Connecting science with societyScience communication and public engagement can play an important role in increasing the reach and impact of research. The project aims to equip postgraduate students and early-career researchers with practical skills to communicate their work with audiences including the public, policymakers, funders, and fellow researchers.The collaboration also recognizes the growing importance of digital and social media platforms as tools for sharing research, engaging communities, and increasing the visibility of scientific work. Through this work, the team is developing activities that include science communication training, postgraduate and early-career researcher workshops, mentorship programs, webinars, digital media engagement, and a Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. The project also aims to strengthen researchers’ ability to incorporate science communication and public engagement into research proposals, helping them develop communication strategies that can extend the reach and impact of their research. Meet the visiting facultyDr. Dikabo Mogopodi, Lecturer in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Botswana and Principal Investigator, brings extensive experience in science communication, women in STEM, and research capacity building. She has led initiatives advancing women's participation in science communication and has organized science communication capacity-building workshops and outreach programs for women in STEM. She is also a Fellow of the International Science Council and the Africa Science Leadership Programme.Prof. Taye B. Demissie, Associate Professor of Physical and Computational Chemistry at the University of Botswana, brings extensive research and teaching experience to the collaboration. He has authored and co-authored more than 75 research papers and has trained university lecturers in computational chemistry tools. He is also committed to promoting STEM awareness among high school students and increasing public understanding of scientific research.Ms. Inonge Tracy Chibua, Lecturer in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Botswana, contributes experience in science communication, gender-focused initiatives, and researcher engagement. She has been involved with the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World and has contributed to science communication workshops and webinars through the African Network of Analytical Chemists. Bringing strategic communication expertise to the partnershipDr. Susan McFarlane-Alvarez, Professor in MSU’s Department of Advertising and Public Relations and Principal Investigator, brings expertise in strategic communication, project management, program design, training, facilitation, and creative direction to the collaboration. Her experience will support the team in developing innovative approaches for communicating scientific research to broader audiences.The partnership brings together complementary expertise from the University of Botswana and Michigan State University. By sharing perspectives and experiences from the Global South and Global North, the team aims to develop science communication training approaches that respond to the needs of researchers and communities and have potential for replication and scaling across other African countries."The continuing work of this project has helped to provide post-graduate science researchers at University of Botswana with insights about how they can broaden their research impact through strategic communication," notes Susan McFarlane-Alvarez. "We've also had the opportunity to explore further learning at MSU with science communication experts, and possible collaborations with MSU's Department of Chemistry."Building a stronger culture of science communicationBeyond developing individual communication skills, the project seeks to foster a supportive community of science communicators and create more opportunities for interaction between scientists and the public. The long-term vision is to strengthen knowledge exchange, encourage greater engagement with science, and support researchers in communicating their work in ways that are accessible, relevant, and meaningful to different communities. For AAP, the collaboration reflects the value of partnerships that bring together institutions, disciplines, and expertise to address shared challenges and create opportunities for research to have a wider impact. As the University of Botswana and Michigan State University continue this work, the project has the potential to contribute to a stronger culture of science communication helping researchers not only produce knowledge but also connect that knowledge with the people and communities it can serve.