When science speaks: leading cities in communication

A new index ranks how cities share science with the public, offering practical steps to strengthen understanding and trust.

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  Communicating science effectively helps new advances reach society faster, a report shows.Credit: Mikkelwilliam/E+/Getty

Effective communication of science and technology helps people make sense of complex ideas, closes knowledge gaps, and stimulates the imagination and curiosity that drive innovation.

  “The ability to communicate science credibly and clearly is becoming an increasingly important strength,” says Jian Xu, a media and communication scholar at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). “Effective communication of new scientific advances can help streamline regulation and speed their adoption in society.”

To explore how global cities perform in this area, Xu leads a team at SJTU’s School of Media and Communication in Shanghai that produces the Global Science Communication Cities Index (GSCCI). The report ranks 40 cities worldwide on their science communication, assessing the institutions, networks, and practices that shape how science is shared, understood and applied.

  “The goal,” Xu explains, “is to give cities a working roadmap for building a stronger global science voice.” He stresses the index is meant to provide practical tools for policymakers worldwide to improve science communication, and strengthen overall innovation capacity.

Mapping communication

  To build a representative list, the team first filtered cities by population and economic weight, then added established research hubs, and finally ensured balance beyond North America and Europe. The selected cities were then assessed through four lenses: the visibility of local researchers and institutions (scientific community); the role of universities, media, and public facilities in sharing science (organized communication); public participation in events and online discussions (public participation); and the strength of digital infrastructure that enables communication (connectivity).

Shanghai ranks sixth in the index and first among mainland Chinese cities for its success at communicating science.Credit: Asia-Pacific Images Studio/E+/Getty

  Each lens is assessed using secondary indicators that are easy to interpret and consistent enough to make cross-city comparisons meaningful. For example, the scientific community lens tracks the number of highly cited researchers as a sign of influence. Public participation blends data on science events with online engagement, while connectivity uses standard internet speed tests to enable fair comparisons.

The team prioritized transparency over complexity, selecting indicators for their consistency and global availability, with open definitions that make the results replicable. “The goal isn’t to produce a final ranking,” Xu says, “but to offer a baseline that cities can question, adapt and improve. The index is meant to spark better measurement and debate, not close it.”

In building the index, the researchers assigned equal weight to each factor. Although they tested other approaches, they found equal weighting just as effective — and far clearer to explain. “It simplified the model without sacrificing accuracy,” Xu explains.

Asia’s rise

  The results place New York, London, Boston, San Francisco, and Tokyo in the global top five. Shanghai ranks sixth — first among mainland Chinese cities — followed by Beijing in seventh. Singapore in tenth place and Hong Kong in twelfth underscore Asia’s growing role in global science communication.

  Shanghai particularly shines in offline public engagement. It leads the world in attendance at science festivals and events, driven by years of effort to open venues, host family-friendly activities, and spread programming across districts.

  “Its museums and community spaces have turned into hubs for hands-on learning, attracting big crowds, repeat visitors, and a growing number of people who feel comfortable with science,” says Xu.

  Jian Xu leads a Shanghai Jiao Tong University team that produces the Global Science Communication Cities Index, a report ranking 40 global cities.Credit: Shanghai Jiao Tong University

But challenges remain. Shanghai’s international media visibility still trails top hubs, and multilingual outreach is uneven. “We have built a strong foundation face to face. Now we need to carry Shanghai’s science stories further and louder,” Xu says. This points to the need for stronger partnerships with global outlets to tell local science stories in ways that resonate with broader global audiences.

Other cities highlight different strengths. Beijing excels online, using short video and social platforms to make complex topics accessible at scale. Boston stands out for scientist influence and university-driven communication, but struggles to connect with the wider public.

  In Europe, says Xu, many institutions run steady science programmes, but slower digital adoption suggesting a need to modernize and use social media more effectively.

Actionable insights

  The report also sets out practical priorities for cities to improve science communication: diversifying channels, expanding multilingual outreach, and investing in training for both scientists and journalists.

According to the report, mid-ranking cities stand to gain by aligning institutional messages into a coherent city narrative, developing flagship public events, and using data-driven approaches to strengthen digital engagement. Emerging hubs are advised to focus on building core infrastructure — such as libraries, museums, and community science spaces — while piloting participatory formats that invite the public to test, question, and learn.

Xu emphasizes that the most effective cities succeed through a ‘three-way linkage’ of government, scientists and the public — an approach that builds trust and amplifies a city’s influence. This collaboration is especially important in fast-developing fields such as artificial intelligence, climate technology, and synthetic biology, where adoption depends as much on public trust as on technical progress.

Beyond the rankings

  Looking ahead, Xu sees the Public Communication of Science and Technology 2027 conference (PCST 2027), to be held at SJTU in Shanghai, as a chance to strengthen the city’s role in the field.

Since 1989, the biennial conference — which is a leading forum for science communication — has brought together researchers, educators and practitioners from around the globe.

  He plans to use the event to launch working groups on shared metrics, expand science-communication training in universities, and pilot partnerships that allow cities to share reliable local data.

  “Science matters most when it’s understood and trusted,” Xu says.

  See the related Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission feature 'Communicating science effectively in the age of AI’; and explore the full Global Science Communication Cities Index.