Beyond Data: Connecting People to Sustain the Relevance of Flux Science - Insights from the Meet the Fluxers podcast

Eddy-covariance (EC) flux towers have collected decades of data on carbon, water, and energy exchanges, helping us understand how ecosystems respond to climate change. However, a gap persists between EC research outputs and how this knowledge reaches societal groups. The Meet the Fluxers podcast addresses this gap by connecting flux scientists with stakeholders and communities in shared ecosystems, making flux science accessible to the general public in a broader, more applied context.

While flux measurements are technically complex, and communication among relevant groups can be fragmented, many researchers are already overcoming these challenges through collaborative practice. The podcast gives voice to these researchers who are co-creating fluxscience with land managers, policymakers, and local communities, building trusted relationships that make science more relevant and actionable. By showing these real examples, the podcast educates listeners, clarifies limitations and demonstrates how collaborative engagement transforms both research and practice, particularly in under-monitored regions and rapidly changing ecosystems facing budgetary pressures.

To better understand the impact of science podcasts, Spotify analytics and transcript extraction were used to analyze audiences across four podcasts (Meet the Fluxers, Unbiased Science, Naturally Florida, and On the Trail of Science). The audiences primarily consist of millennials and are more frequently female, with listening geographies expanding beyond host locations. Engagement is non-linear, reflecting episodic releases. Transcript analysis shows listener interest is influenced by theme, place, narrative, and personal experience. These findings suggest that long-form audio formats can broaden access through repeated, place-based engagement. In addition to improved data products, relational communication formats are essential for maintaining relevance amid rapid environmental change and political uncertainty.