Interview: "Communication helps researchers network and ensures their work doesn’t go unnoticed"

In this interview, iC3 communication, policy and grant support manager Till Bruckner reflects on his role, his research on geoengineering in the Arctic, and his passion for using science and communication to drive impactful change.

Can you describe yourself briefly and what you are doing at iC3?

I manage communications, policy and grant support at iC3. This involves handling everything related to communications and supporting researchers with their proposals. When people at iC3 or external applicants write proposals, I help them to showcase the science effectively, especially for those who may not have much experience in proposal writing.

Why do you think communication in science is important?

Communication helps researchers network, find collaborators, and ensures their work doesn’t go unnoticed. Publishing a paper in a journal is great, but it might still go unnoticed for years. Sharing comprehensible summaries of research helps move science as a whole forward and makes it accessible to a broader audience.

Photo credit: Jemma Wadham

You’ve had a diverse career spanning development aid, journalism, and think tanks. What drives you to explore so many fields?

I’m driven by the desire to have a positive impact. If I see an area where I think I can make a difference, I dive in. For example, I’ve worked on financial transparency campaigns and run a clinical trial transparency campaign. I find changing things more exciting than just studying problems.

Beside your job as communication and policy manager, you also work on a micro-project about the implications of climate change and geo-engineering for the Arctic. Can you tell us more about it?

The project has two parts: one explores the Arctic's climate change impacts over a 30-year horizon, and the other focuses on geoengineering, a topic I believe will grow significantly in the coming years. The Arctic, with its low population density, is often seen as a potential testing ground for geoengineering technologies. Through semi-structured interviews with researchers and stakeholders in Tromsø, the project examines perspectives on the benefits and risks of geoengineering in this region. This pilot aims to establish a baseline understanding to guide future research and policy.

Can you share more about your experience in freelance journalism and research?

As a freelance journalist, I’ve written about topics that fascinate me, like solar power in Morocco, slavery in Mauritania or golden passports in the Caribbean. If I can’t find someone to pay me, I still pursue the story if it’s compelling enough. Freelance journalism is a fantastic way to meet interesting people and explore new ideas, but it’s not financially sustainable. Freelance research, on the other hand, is more structured and can pay the bills.

What technologies or methodologies excite you most in research?

Artificial intelligence, without a doubt. Last week, I completed a week’s worth of research in just two hours using AI tools. It’s transformative for certain types of research and can eliminate many of the boring parts of the process.

If you could change one thing in science, what would it be?

I’d make the process more efficient. Researchers should be free to focus on research, while administrative and support tasks should be handled by specialists. This would save time and resources, allowing scientists to concentrate on their core work.

Have you always aspired to work at the intersection of journalism and research?

Yes, I enjoy the interface between science and policy. I’m not interested in hyper-specialized research or superficial journalism. I prefer gaining a broad understanding of issues and figuring out how to improve them.

What’s one big question you’d like to answer in the future?

Geoengineering is a massive topic I’m exploring. I’m also fascinated by climate communications—understanding what works and what doesn’t. Beyond that, medical research is endlessly intriguing due to its rapid technological advancements. I’m currently doing a part-time postdoc on medical research in Stockholm.

Can you share a particularly memorable moment in your career?

One standout moment was campaigning for clinical trial transparency in the EU. We got the EU to adopt new transparency rules, shaping how medical research is disseminated across a bloc of half a billion people. That was a significant impact.

What does an ideal day off look like for you?

It involves a big mountain, my girlfriend, and my dog. I enjoy hiking, skiing, martial arts, board games and reading.

Photo credit: Jemma Wadham

If you could travel anywhere right now, where would it be?

I’d love to move to West Africa or the United States. Both regions are culturally diverse, dynamic, and politically fascinating.

What’s one book that has influenced you significantly?

Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond. It redefined for me how compelling nonfiction can be.

Do you have a motto or guiding principle?

It’s often better to just do something and see if it works rather than overthinking things. If it doesn’t work, you can always try something else.

Till Bruckner works remotely at the iC3 Polar Research Hub in Tromsø, the capital of the Arctic. To find out more about his work, please check out his list of publications, or contact him by email or via LinkedIn.

If you’re interested in joining iC3 as a postdoc, get in touch - Till runs the MSCA support programme of iC3. He provides support to candidates to help them write winning MSCA proposals. Check more about this here.