By Our Reporter,The Nation

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Every day, science produces knowledge that shapes our societies from public health and technology to policymaking and global governance. But knowledge alone is not enough. Its impact depends on how it is communicated, trusted, and applied across diverse communities.

At the heart of this challenge is Suleiman Abdulsalam, a Nigerian researcher whose work is helping to bridge the gap between science and society. Currently a PhD student in Planning, Governance, and Globalization (UEDP Track) at Virginia Tech, Suleiman is conducting research in the Wald Lab, under the mentorship of Dr. Dara Wald, an associate professor of environmental communication and policy in the School of Public and International Affairs at Virginia Tech.

A Global Lens on Science Communication

Suleiman’s academic journey bridges continents and disciplines. He earned an MSc in Collective Intelligence—the first program of its kind worldwide—at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco, supported by the Ibn Roch Foundation for Science and Innovation Scholarship. He went on to pursue a Master’s in Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, funded by the Riberas Orjales Fellowship. This distinctive blend of training has equipped him with a truly global perspective on how scientific knowledge is generated, communicated, and trusted across borders.

“The biggest challenge isn’t just producing knowledge — it’s ensuring that knowledge is understood, trusted, and acted upon,” Suleiman explains. “Science only matters when it is communicated clearly and inclusively, especially in diverse cultural and political contexts. My work in the Wald Lab allows me to explore these dynamics at the intersection of science communication, policy, and public engagement.”

Trust in Science: A Global Study

Suleiman played a central role in the Trust in Science Project (TISP)—a consortium led by Dr. Viktoria Cologna and Dr. Niels G. Mede, Group lead at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Switzerland, and Assistant Professor of Communication Science in Life Science Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Netherlands, respectively.

Tagged as one of the most extensive post-pandemic studies of public trust in science, involving over 71,000 participants across 68 countries. He led Arabic survey translation, coordinated data collection in Morocco, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire, and played a role in data analysis and literature review processes of the project work.

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Suleiman’s research has contributed to multiple high-impact publications advancing the global communication of science. The study “Trust in scientists and their role in society across 68 countries” appeared in Nature Human Behaviour, one of the world’s top-ranked social science journals. The TISP dataset was further documented in “Perceptions of science, science communication, and climate change attitudes in 68 countries”, published in Nature Scientific Data. Additional analyses, including “Extreme weather event attribution predicts climate policy support across the world” in Nature Climate Change, highlight the policy relevance of this work. Another project, “Public communication about science in 68 countries: Global evidence on how people encounter science information and engage with it”, is currently undergoing peer review and available via OSF. These studies have already informed European Union policymaking, demonstrating the practical impact of rigorous and inclusive science communication.

Bridging Knowledge and Policy

For Suleiman, the work is deeply personal. “Growing up in Nigeria, I saw firsthand how a lack of trust in scientific knowledge can hinder progress. My goal is to ensure that science is not just credible but also comprehensible, relevant, and actionable for communities and policymakers worldwide.”

His research in the Wald Lab emphasizes the global communication of science, studying how institutions, scientists, and the public interact, and how trust shapes decision-making. The lab’s focus on science communication, policy engagement, and international collaboration has been crucial in shaping his approach to global science governance.

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Suleiman plans to continue exploring how science communication and governance intersect to address complex global challenges. “Science is a tool for solving real-world problems, but its power depends on how well it is communicated and trusted,” he says. “If we can build systems where knowledge flows transparently and inclusively, we can empower communities, guide policymakers, and strengthen global governance.”