From September 2-6, 2024, the Lorentz Workshop on “Breaking News: We Found Extraterrestrial Life!” was held, co-organised by the members from Leiden University, the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), and NASA Astrobiology. This workshop brought together experts from astrobiology, science communication, social sciences, and journalism to address the challenges of communicating the complexities and uncertainties of the Search for Life Elsewhere (SLE).

 

Participants underscored the need for a communication strategy that fosters transparency, clarity, and inclusivity, while balancing scientific rigour with accessibility. The discussions highlighted the importance of managing public expectations, engaging diverse cultural perspectives, and strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure astrobiology communication remains effective and responsible as the field advances.
 

This workshop was supported by Lorentz Centre and the participants equally contributed to the executive summary.
 

Download here the executive summary from the workshop.