David Shiffman

Advice for talking to the media as a conservation scientist: Part 3, the press release

March 27, 2025 David Shiffman

Many environmental scientists understand that there is value in communicating about their work through the media, as publicity can help raise public awareness of a conservation threat and help build support for a policy solution. Most training material focuses on how to craft and deliver effective messages. However, this is only part of the skillset … Read More “Advice for talking to the media as a conservation scientist: Part 3, the press release” »

Advice for talking to the media as a conservation scientist: Part 2, mechanics of the interview

March 19, 2025March 19, 2025 David Shiffman

Academic life, Blogging, Education, Featured

By David Shiffman and Brett Favaro. Many environmental scientists understand that there is value in communicating about their work through the media, as publicity can help raise public awareness of a conservation threat and help build support for a policy solution. Most training material focuses on how to craft and deliver effective messages. However, this is only … Read More “Advice for talking to the media as a conservation scientist: Part 2, mechanics of the interview” »

Advice for talking to the media as a conservation scientist: Part 1

March 13, 2025March 13, 2025 David Shiffman

Academic life, Blogging, Education, Featured

By David Shiffman and Brett Favaro. Many environmental scientists understand that there is value in communicating about their work through the media, as publicity can help raise public awareness of a conservation threat and help build support for a policy solution. Most training material focuses on how to craft and deliver effective messages. However, this … Read More “Advice for talking to the media as a conservation scientist: Part 1” »

At least 74 practicing shark researchers: How a silly thing I said online raised thousands for conservation

February 26, 2025 David Shiffman

Blogging

If you’re a Very Online science nerd like me, you’ve probably heard of Wild Green Memes- I called it “Pure Joy for Biology Geeks” in a 2019 American Scientist article. In addition to daily silly-but-smart humor, this huge science meme group has an annual conservation fundraiser challenge. People support their favorite meme “team” by donating … Read More “At least 74 practicing shark researchers: How a silly thing I said online raised thousands for conservation” »

NOAA carries a two century legacy of America’s first government science agency

February 19, 2025February 19, 2025 David Shiffman

Featured, Policy, Science

NOAA, the US government science and management agency in charge of sustainable fisheries, the national weather service, and ocean exploration, is in the crosshairs of the Trump administration and Project 2025. Though criticisms from “small government” types imply that having a US government science agency at all represents some kind of expansion of government power … Read More “NOAA carries a two century legacy of America’s first government science agency” »

We’re making a new marine conservation science and policy textbook. What do you want to be in it?

February 5, 2025 David Shiffman

Academic life, Conservation, Science

The leading textbook in Marine Conservation Biology (Norse and Crowder) is 20 years old. It’s great and it shaped the field for a generation, but a lot has happened since it came out. There are new conservation threats, new policy tools, and new research methods to study them. And in that time, we’ve radically changed … Read More “We’re making a new marine conservation science and policy textbook. What do you want to be in it?” »

The wrongest belief about the deep sea is wronger than you know

January 1, 2025December 31, 2024 David Shiffman

Blogging, Conservation, Exploration, Featured, Science

More people care about marine biodiversity and saving the ocean than ever before. But progress towards evidence-based conservation is hindered by widespread public misunderstanding of the key issues in play. You’ve heard versions of this rant from me for 15 years, but this is not a post about sustainable fisheries, or shark conservation. This … Read More “The wrongest belief about the deep sea is wronger than you know” »

My “Follow ocean science and conservation experts on Bluesky and Instagram” assignment

November 19, 2024 David Shiffman

Conservation, Education, Science

As an informal learning assignment, I have my students use social media to follow ocean science and conservation experts for the semester. Each week, they’re asked to check social media for a few minutes, and report on something interesting they learned about marine science or conservation (and why they thought it was interesting.) I’m sharing … Read More “My “Follow ocean science and conservation experts on Bluesky and Instagram” assignment” »

The story of the pride flag made from NASA imagery: Bluesky’s most-liked image

September 27, 2024 David Shiffman

Science

Last June, a striking image of a pride flag made up of NASA imagery became the most-liked post on the new social media network Bluesky, a post it held for 2 months. I spoke with its creator Rachel Lense about how it was made, and what it’s reception means for inclusion in science. This image … Read More “The story of the pride flag made from NASA imagery: Bluesky’s most-liked image” »

My remarks for Biodiversity Leaders for Harris Walz

September 26, 2024 David Shiffman

Conservation, Science

On Thursday, September 26th, I spoke on a “Biodiversity Leaders for Harris-Walz” zoom call. This is the text of my remarks, including links to learn more. Good evening. I’m Dr. David Shiffman, an ocean conservation scientist who studies threats to marine life and how we can solve those problems using wise evidence-based policymaking, through equitable … Read More “My remarks for Biodiversity Leaders for Harris Walz” »