Welcome to Career Konnect by BioPatrika – your go-to series for inspiring career journeys in science, biotech, and beyond! Here we bring you inspiring career journeys of professionals in science and beyond. In each episode, we explore unique career paths, transitions, and insights to help you navigate your own professional journey.
Guest: Siddharth Kankaria, Independent Consultant, Science Communication Research, Practice and Teaching.
Host: Sarah Wettstadt
In this episode, host Sarah Wettstadt talks to Siddharth Kankaria, a molecular biologist turned passionate science communicator. From pipettes to podcasts, Siddharth shares how he transitioned from academic research to making science accessible and engaging for broader audiences. Let’s dive in!
🔍 In This Episode, Learn About:
✔️ Siddharth’s early career in molecular biology and why he stepped away from the lab
✔️ His bold decision to take a sabbatical and explore science communication
✔️ The growing scope and need for science communication in India
✔️ Practical advice for students and researchers who want to pursue this path
✔️ Navigating career transitions without a PhD – and why it’s okay!
✔️ The value of empathy, storytelling, and curiosity in making science public-friendly
🎤 Siddharth’s story is a must-watch for anyone considering an alternative science career, especially in science communication, policy, or public engagement.
💡 Siddharth’s journey highlights the power of interdisciplinary careers and the importance of following one’s passion beyond traditional research roles. If you’re interested in science communication, this episode is packed with insights, career advice, and inspiration!
📺 Watch Now: https://youtu.be/PfO34–mehU
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Gist: No PhD, No Problem: Siddharth’s Bold Career Shift to SciComm | Career Konnect
Siddharth Kankaria transitioned from molecular biology to science communication during a sabbatical, drawn by his love for connecting diverse fields and making science accessible. Motivated both personally and socially, he shifted from journalism to research-driven communication, adapting global models to India’s context. A turning point came when he joined a science media outlet, where the dynamic, creative work affirmed his passion. Despite societal pressure to pursue a PhD, Siddharth chose to stay in science communication, committed to bridging the gap between science and society.
Full Interview: From Lab Coats to Storytelling: Siddharth’s SciComm Journey | Career Konnect
Sarah Wettstadt: Hello and welcome to a new Career Konnect interview. Today, I have with me Siddharth, who works at the intersection of research, practice, and teaching within the science communication field. He focuses on science and technology studies, education, and social justice, and he is based in India.
He currently works as an independent consultant and teaches science communication courses at multiple academic institutions. He is also the founder of the SciCommSci Club in India, a flagship initiative for engaging with the science of science communication. Additionally, he serves on the scientific committee of the Public Communication of Science and Technology Network as the co-chair of its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee. Welcome, Siddharth.
Question: Can you briefly explain to our audience how you became interested in science communication?
I think I got interested in science communication quite serendipitously. It wasn’t something I had planned or thought about deeply. I was doing a bachelor’s degree in science in India and worked in a molecular biology laboratory for a while. Even though I was eager to pursue fundamental research, I realized after my degree and my lab experiences that I wasn’t really enjoying it as much as I had expected. At that time, I had already applied for master’s and PhD programs abroad and even received some acceptances. However, I felt I needed a break, so I took a sabbatical.
A precursor to this is that, although I was trained in science, I had always been interested in the humanities as well. I see the division between science and humanities as a false dichotomy, which isn’t always useful. Unfortunately, in India, most courses require you to pick one over the other, making it difficult to combine the two.
After completing my degree, I was still keen on learning and experiencing subjects in the humanities. Science communication seemed like an ideal way to use my scientific background in communication-related projects. It happened quite organically—I didn’t really think much about it.
I attended a workshop on science journalism that introduced me to the field and made me aware that one could actually make a living out of it. After the workshop, I spent a few months reflecting on what I wanted to do during my sabbatical year. I felt that engaging in science communication would be a fun way to spend that time. Little did I know that I would end up working in the field for the rest of my life so far—I never went back to basic research.
Question: What motivates you to do science communication? Why didn’t you return to basic research?
There are two layers of motivation I’d like to point out. The first is personal: when I was pursuing my science degree, I realized that academic research is highly depth-oriented. You specialize in one field, go deeper, and are expected to become an expert in a very niche area.
I’ve always preferred breadth over depth. Since childhood, I’ve enjoyed exploring different topics rather than sticking to just one. Science communication allowed me to move across various scientific subjects, connect ideas, and find patterns between seemingly unrelated concepts. I didn’t just want to go deep—I wanted to connect the dots. This was a personal motivation.
The second, more social motivation is that I strongly believe knowledge should be accessible. Right now, academic research is often confined to an ivory tower and inaccessible to the general public. In India, scientific research is predominantly funded by taxpayers’ money. This creates a moral and ethical obligation to ensure that the research funded by the public is accessible to all citizens.
Beyond this ethical perspective, there are also significant disparities in access to scientific knowledge. If you’ve heard of the concept of “science capital,” you know that in India, there are vast inequalities in people’s exposure to science from an early age. This limits opportunities and potential. I believe that by making science more accessible, we can bridge these gaps and create more opportunities for people.
Question: Did you figure all of this out while still working as a researcher, or did it develop over time?
I stopped being a researcher in the natural sciences when I left my degree. But after working in science communication for a few years, I realized that much of it was being done just for the sake of it, with little measurement of impact or evaluation.
That led me to explore evidence-based science communication. I started reading research papers, studying impact assessments, and even pursued a master’s degree in science communication. This exposed me to theoretical frameworks, but when I returned to India, I found that many of these Western-developed models didn’t work in the Indian context. That realization drove me to research how science communication could be more effective in the Global South, especially in India.
Although I no longer research molecular biology, my training as a scientist equipped me with the ability to collect and analyze data. That skill set helped me transition into social science research. Even though I don’t have formal social science training, I collaborate with researchers, read academic papers, and contribute to studies on designing science-society relationships in India.
Question: What was the turning point where you decided you wouldn’t go back to basic research?
When I first explored science communication during my sabbatical, I wasn’t sure if it could be a long-term career. So, I applied for jobs and landed a role at a science media outlet as a content editor.
In that role, my daily schedule was dynamic and exciting. One day, I was recording a podcast; the next, I was conducting interviews, writing popular science articles, creating infographics, or shooting videos. The variety was in stark contrast to the monotony of my previous lab work, which involved long hours of pipetting and repetitive experiments.
I had a lot of fun and genuinely enjoyed my work. It was during those months that I realized I didn’t want to go back to the lab. I had found something that was intellectually fulfilling and personally satisfying. From that point on, I never looked back.
Question: Many people struggle with the idea of leaving research. Have you ever faced criticism for your decision?
Absolutely. Many people have told me that I should pursue a PhD and that I’m “wasting my potential” by not staying in research. But I’ve realized that the traditional academic path is not the only way to contribute to science. Science communication allows me to make an impact by making knowledge more accessible and engaging with diverse audiences.
I’ve also found that having a breadth of knowledge and an interdisciplinary perspective is just as valuable as having deep expertise in one niche area. Ultimately, we need people who can bridge the gap between science and society, and I’m happy playing that role.
That brings us to the end of this insightful conversation. Thank you, Siddharth, for sharing your journey and valuable advice with us. We hope this discussion helps our audience gain clarity and inspiration for their own careers. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to BioPatrika for more Career Konnect stories. See you in the next episode!
If you’re seeking guidance on science communication careers and job opportunities, feel free to reach out to scikonnect@gmail.com. We’re happy to connect you with the right resources and partners to help you navigate your journey in scicomm.
