Building Trust and Impact: Matthew Davidson on Science Communication and Entrepreneurship

Matthew Davidson, founder of Davidson Science Consulting, is a science communicator who works to bridge the gap between science and society, helping researchers share their work in a way that is clear, engaging, and accessible to the public.

With an international career background and experience working across multiple disciplines, he supports research institutions, startups, and companies in shaping messages that are both clear and credible. His work is built on one core value: trust.

And while AI is rapidly changing the way content is created, Matthew is raising an important question: “If a company relies on AI to communicate its work, how can the audience trust that the company is credible and accountable?”.

Science storytelling workshop with Nucleate Denmark, led by Matthew Davidson.

Building Trust: The Core of Matthew’s Work

For Matthew, trust is the foundation of all communication and ultimately the foundation of every successful business relationship. He believes people connect with messages and individuals they trust, and without that trust, even the strongest research or most innovative solution will fail to reach its audience. If people don’t believe the messenger, they won’t believe the message.

Trustworthy communication, for him, is not only about sharing facts, but about making complex research understandable through clear storytelling, transparency, and evidence. He sees science communication as a long-term process of building credibility, helping researchers and companies communicate in a way that strengthens relationships over time.

His belief in trust was also shaped by his experience of moving to Norway and having to build everything from scratch. Matthew arrived in early 2019 after his wife began working in Norway as an engineer supporting research projects. At first, he expected to find work through traditional job searching, but instead he faced silence. People didn’t respond to applications, and calls never came back.

That experience pushed him into entrepreneurship, not because it was the original plan, but because it became the only option. After joining networking groups and receiving encouragement from people around him, he realized how easy it was to register a business in Norway through Altinn. Within six months of arriving, he launched Davidson Science Consulting in October 2019.

For Matthew, this journey made one thing clear: in Norway, like in science communication, trust and networks matter. Most of his early clients came through introductions and personal connections, proving again that credibility isn’t built through advertising alone. It’s built through relationships.

Entrepreneurship in Norway: Accessible Systems and Real Challenges

Matthew describes Norway as a country where starting a business is surprisingly accessible. Registering a company can take only minutes, and he emphasizes that the system is structured in a way that encourages entrepreneurship. He advises newcomers not to be afraid of the practical side. He recommends calling the tax office directly, because people are often willing to guide entrepreneurs through taxes, accounting, and legal requirements.

At the same time, he highlights that the real challenge begins after the business is registered. Consulting work is rarely consistent, and some months can be stressful. He explains that just a few large projects, sometimes only two or three that can make up a significant part of the year’s income, which makes planning difficult. For him, one of the hardest parts has been marketing himself and staying visible, since consulting is not only about selling a service but also about selling your expertise and reputation.

His strongest advice is to expect that a large portion of your working time will go into networking, pitching, and building relationships. In his experience, most clients do not come from online visibility alone, but through people who already know and trust you. He also encourages future founders to charge more than they think they should, and to plan their working hours realistically, because entrepreneurship includes much more than just client work.

Despite the challenges, Matthew values the flexibility that comes with running his own business. He appreciates the ability to structure his day, protect his weekends, and maintain a healthier work-life balance something he believes Norway supports strongly through its culture.

Networking in Norway: The Real Competitive Advantage

Matthew emphasizes that joining networking programs like CHARGE Changemaker and other local professional groups was essential for building his business in Norway. These programs helped him meet other professionals, navigate the Norwegian system, and connect with potential clients. Many of his first projects came through introductions from people he met in these networks, while collaborations with organizations like DNV and OsloMet helped establish credibility, making it easier for new clients to trust him.

For Matthew, networking isn’t just an optional part of running a business, it’s a core strategy. Consistently showing up, building relationships, and offering value to others helped him grow Davidson Science Consulting in a country where personal connections often matter more than marketing alone.

Resilience, Routine, and Long-Term Motivation

Even on tough days, Matthew stays motivated by the belief that his work truly matters: helping important research reach the world can make a difference. Entrepreneurship can feel unpredictable, juggling multiple projects and responsibilities, but routines, structured mornings, and protecting weekends help him stay balanced. 

Ultimately, what drives him is being part of something worthwhile like helping researchers and companies communicate clearly and build trust. His advice to others starting out: give yourself five years to try, experiment with different techniques and networking approaches, and know it’s okay to pivot if something isn’t working.

Looking Back: What Worked and What He’d Change

Matthew reflects that better planning early on, setting up a website, marketing, and a solid business foundation would have reduced stress and accelerated growth. He also wishes he had given himself time to settle in and really evaluate what he wanted to do, instead of diving in and trying to make it work on the fly. At the same time, he would keep the same commitment to networking, building trust, and leaning on community, because those relationships have been central to his success.

The Power of Trust in Science and Entrepreneurship

Matthew Davidson’s journey shows how resilience, networking, and trust are essential for building a successful business as an international entrepreneur. From moving to Norway and launching Davidson Science Consulting almost by necessity, to helping researchers and companies communicate their work clearly, he emphasizes that relationships and credibility are key to growth. 

His experience demonstrates the value of programs like CHARGE Changemaker and other professional networks in navigating new systems and creating opportunities. While tools like AI are changing the way content is produced, Matthew reminds us that authenticity, human judgment, and hands-on effort remain irreplaceable.

His advice to aspiring founders and science communicators is simple yet powerful: give yourself five years to experiment, explore different strategies, and don’t be afraid to adjust your approach if needed. Matthew’s story is a compelling example of how commitment, community, and trust can transform ideas into meaningful impact.

Interested in collaborating with Matthew? Get in touch with him here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mld-science/?originalSubdomain=no