OUR APPROACH
Bringing expertise to you
Good science can cut through misinformation when it’s packaged with creativity and empathy.
We combine expert scientific knowledge with social media know-how to create engaging content. By putting science up first, we inform, delight, and inspire people to make evidence-based decisions.
The infodemic
The term “infodemic” describes the flood of information—both true and false—that arises during a public health emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic that swept the globe in 2020. Disinformation and misinformation, which are frequently spread via media channels and social platforms, can aggravate uncertainty and obstruct public health efforts.
Science steps in
When there are many unknowns, people are more likely to share misinformation by accident, not knowing who or what is telling the truth. ScienceUpFirst works with experts to make science-backed posts you can trust. We actively work to debunk myths and disseminate reliable guidance on health and climate matters in the fight against misinformation.
What do we mean by putting “science up first”?
Science is a body of knowledge and a process. Following the best available science helps us make decisions that keep us safe. When we say we’re putting “science up first.” we mean:
Using the knowledge
Listening to experts. Referencing reliable sources. Staying up to date.
Respecting the process
Understanding how science works. Giving weight to well-controlled, peer-reviewed studies.
How we work
Sharing the best science available
Our goal is to stop the spread of misinformation through the use of the best available science in creative ways. We want to empower Canadians to be champions for good science. To achieve this, we follow the best practices in science communication, ensuring that the information we provide is both accurate and understandable.
Vetted by experts
To stay at the forefront of the latest scientific developments, we maintain regular and insightful conversations with our coalition of experts. Before any of our content sees the light of day, it undergoes rigorous vetting by these experts, ensuring that the information we provide to the public is of the highest quality.
We are committed to:
- prioritizing accuracy
- always verifying the source
- delving beyond the headlines
- seeking out the scientific consensus
A creative commitment
Our commitment doesn’t stop at the presentation of data and facts. We understand that creativity is a powerful tool for conveying scientific information effectively.
- We embrace diversity, humor, art, wordplay, and storytelling, because we recognize that these creative elements can make the complex world of science more engaging and relatable.
- We’re well-versed in the workings of social media, crafting content that is not only informative but also accessible and shareable.
- We collaborate with organizations and community members in the public, private, nonprofit, and charity sectors to meet you where you are.
Stopping the spread
We firmly believe in the power of social media to be able to disseminate information quickly and broadly. But we also know that can go awry quickly. We actively monitor trends in misinformation and take the time to listen to the questions people are asking to find them the information they need to make the right decisions for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Our posts can be:
Proactive
Emphasizing good science and public health messages
Reactive
Addressing specific myths or falsehoods that may be circulating online
MAKING GOOD DECISIONS
“By amalgamating science, creativity, and a commitment to tackling misinformation, we aim to provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions and stay up-to-date on the latest scientific developments.”
COMMUNITY GUIDELINES
Ensuring an inclusive space
We are on social media because we believe that online platforms can be great spaces to share ideas and learn from one another. We welcome questions, comments, and feedback on our posts. We encourage honest questions and sincere requests for information and try to answer as many as possible with expert-vetted responses.
We know that not everyone will agree with us, or each other, and that’s ok!
Online discourse
But, trying to share information and combat misinformation online can be tricky. As we all know:
- Unmoderated discourse can get ugly. We’ve seen plenty of name-calling, bad-faith arguments, discrimination and hate on our feeds and in others.
- Misinformation is sticky. A false claim posted beneath our content can be just as memorable as the verified information above.
Fostering constructive conversations
To maintain our pages as inclusive spaces where science, logic, and humanity are respected, we reserve the right to hide, restrict, or delete comments that we deem inappropriate or abusive. We also reserve the right to block accounts that repeatedly use our platforms to spread misinformation or demean others.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Give us a follow on social
Use the hashtag #ScienceUpFirst when you share good science.