How can you measure the impact of science communication networks?

1 Define your objectives

Before you can measure the impact of your science communication network, you need to define what you want to achieve and why. What are the specific and realistic goals of your network? Who are your target audiences and stakeholders? What are the expected outcomes and benefits of your network? How do they align with the broader aims of science communication? By clarifying your objectives, you can identify the relevant indicators and metrics to track your progress and impact.

2 Choose your methods

There are different methods and tools to measure the impact of your science communication network, depending on your objectives, resources, and context. Some common methods include surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, social media analytics, bibliometrics, altmetrics, or network analysis. You can use quantitative or qualitative data, or a combination of both, to capture the various aspects of your network's impact, such as reach, engagement, quality, diversity, trust, collaboration, learning, or influence. You should also consider the ethical and practical issues of collecting and analyzing data, such as consent, privacy, validity, reliability, and bias.

3 Compare your results

Once you have collected and analyzed your data, you can compare your results with your objectives and expectations. How well did your network perform in terms of achieving your goals and meeting your audiences' and stakeholders' needs and interests? What were the strengths and weaknesses of your network? What were the challenges and opportunities that emerged from your network's activities and interactions? How did your network contribute to the wider field of science communication and society? By comparing your results, you can assess the value and impact of your network and identify areas for improvement.

4 Communicate your findings

Another important step in measuring the impact of your science communication network is to communicate your findings to your audiences and stakeholders. You can use different formats and channels to share your results, such as reports, presentations, newsletters, blogs, podcasts, videos, or infographics. You should tailor your communication to suit the needs and preferences of your audiences and stakeholders, and use clear, concise, and compelling language and visuals. You should also highlight the main achievements and challenges of your network, and provide recommendations and feedback for future actions.

5 Learn from your feedback

The final step in measuring the impact of your science communication network is to learn from your feedback and use it to improve your network. You can solicit feedback from your audiences and stakeholders, as well as from your network members and partners. You can ask them about their satisfaction, expectations, experiences, and suggestions regarding your network. You can also reflect on your own feedback and learn from your successes and failures. By learning from your feedback, you can enhance your network's performance, quality, and impact, and adapt to the changing needs and contexts of science communication.

6 Repeat your evaluation

Measuring the impact of your science communication network is not a one-time event, but a continuous process. You should repeat your evaluation regularly and systematically, and adjust your objectives, methods, results, findings, and feedback accordingly. By doing so, you can monitor and document your network's impact over time, and compare and contrast your results with other networks or benchmarks. You can also identify and respond to the emerging trends and challenges of science communication, and demonstrate your network's relevance and value to your audiences and stakeholders.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?