Public communication at research universities: Moving towards (de)centralised communication of science?

2021 ◽  
pp. 096366252110583
Author(s):  
Marta Entradas
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Study ◽  
Public Engagement ◽  
Research Universities ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Research Note ◽  
Public Communication ◽  
Research Institutes ◽  
Communication Of Science ◽  
Using Data

This research note reports empirical observations on public communication of research institutes within universities, using data from an international quantitative study in eight countries ( N = 2030). The note aims to contribute to discussions on the role of science communication at research universities. We observe growing science communication at the institute level, which indicates, at a first glance, a trend towards decentralised communication of science. We argue that these might be places where science communication and public engagement can thrive. Rather than claiming to be conclusive, our goal here is to stimulate discussion on the ongoing changes in the organisational science communication landscape, and the consequences it may have for practice.

scholarly journals Science stories as culture: experience, identity, narrative and emotion in public communication of science

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (05) ◽  
pp. A01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Rachael Davies ◽  
Megan Halpern ◽  
Maja Horst ◽  
David Kirby ◽  
Bruce Lewenstein
Keyword(s):  
Popular Culture ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Cultural Theory ◽  
Identity Work ◽  
Public Communication ◽  
Key Frame ◽  
Cultural Approach ◽  
Science Stories ◽  
Communication Of Science

The last three decades have seen extensive reflection concerning how science communication should be modelled and understood. In this essay we propose the value of a cultural approach to science communication — one that frames it primarily as a process of meaning-making. We outline the conceptual basis for this view of culture, drawing on cultural theory to suggest that it is valuable to see science communication as one aspect of (popular) culture, as storytelling or narrative, as ritual, and as collective meaning-making. We then explore four possible ways that a cultural approach might proceed: by mobilising ideas about experience; by framing science communication through identity work; by focusing on fiction; and by paying attention to emotion. We therefore present a view of science communication as always entangled within, and itself shaping, cultural stories and meanings. We close by suggesting that one benefit of this approach is to move beyond debates concerning ‘deficit or dialogue’ as the key frame for public communication of science.

scholarly journals Some contributions of Habermas to the study of public communication of science

2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 21-44
Author(s):  
Ana Eliza Ferreira Alvim-Silva ◽  
José Roberto Pereira ◽  
Cibele Maria Garcia de Aguiar
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Public Communication ◽  
Self Reflection ◽  
Production Of Knowledge ◽  
Social Interests ◽  
Science And Politics ◽  
Communication Of Science ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
Practice Of Science

Abstract: This theoretical essay explores three publications by Jürgen Habermas from the 1960s. The author deals with the critique of science, the production of knowledge and universities democratization. The objective was to extract from them clipings of reflections that can contribute to the studies of public communication of science. We consolidated the considerations into a graphic representation that summarizes the factors to be considered when thinking about the practice of science communication in society: the importance of considering the three interests that drive the production of knowledge - technical, practical and emancipatory, of promoting self-reflection of sciences in politicized and democratized universities, and the mediation of society in the interaction between science and politics, to subsidize decision-making based on social interests. We argue that the basis for a public communication idea of dialogical science - now widely defended - emerged in the German philosopher’s thinking in books published more than 50 years ago. However, that was not his central motivation at that time.

Public communication and the role of social media in enhancing democratic innovation: the case of the City of Bologna

2021 ◽  
pp. 109-126
Author(s):  
Giulia Allegrini ◽  
Stefano Spillare
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Public Administration ◽  
Public Engagement ◽  
Public Communication ◽  
The Public ◽  
Substantial Form ◽  
Communication Practices ◽  
The City

Social media represents for public administration an important area to experi-ment forms of democratic innovation, however this potentiality is often unex-plored. This article, with a focus on the case of the city of Bologna aims to explore 1) whether and how public communication practices enhanced in local participa-tory processes can support a substantial form of participation; 2) which roles so-cial media specifically play in enhancing a participatory environment; 3) which kind of dynamics of interaction emerge between public administration and citizens and the challenges which need to be addressed by a public communication orient-ed to the public engagement.

The gap in scientific knowledge and role of science communication in South Korea

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 578-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeong-Heon Chang ◽  
Sei-Hill Kim ◽  
Myung-Hyun Kang ◽  
Jae Chul Shim ◽  
Dong Hoon Ma
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Science Learning ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Television Viewing ◽  
Social Classes ◽  
Learning Effects ◽  
Online Newspapers ◽  
Using Data

Using data from a national survey of South Koreans, this study explores the role of science communication in enhancing three different forms of scientific knowledge ( factual, procedural, and subjective). We first assess learning effects, looking at the extent to which citizens learn science from different channels of communication (interpersonal discussions, traditional newspapers, television, online newspapers, and social media). We then look into the knowledge gap hypothesis, investigating how different communication channels can either widen or narrow the gap in knowledge between social classes. Television was found to function as a “knowledge leveler,” narrowing the gap between highly and less educated South Koreans. The role of online newspapers in science learning is pronounced in our research. Reading newspapers online indicated a positive relationship to all three measures of knowledge. Contrary to the knowledge-leveling effect of television viewing, reading online newspapers was found to increase, rather than decrease, the gap in knowledge. Implications of our findings are discussed in detail.

scholarly journals ‘Leaving the red Tories’: Ideology, leaders, and why party members quit

2020 ◽  
pp. 135406882096203
Author(s):  
Matthew Barnfield ◽  
Tim Bale
Keyword(s):  
Research Note ◽  
Party Leader ◽  
Ideological Differences ◽  
Party Members ◽  
Using Data

What little research exists on why party members quit has tended to find that exit is driven primarily by political and ideological concerns. This research note builds on this, framing this finding theoretically and arguing that such theory should allow for the role of negative triggers – events that cause people to quit. We focus on the example of changes of leadership. Using data from four Party Members Project surveys, we find that British party members seem to leave parties mainly for political and ideological reasons, and because of disillusionment or disagreement with their leaders. This disillusionment, in turn, is often based on perceived ideological differences. We illustrate this with tweets by Labour members cancelling (or considering cancelling) their membership in the immediate wake of the election of Keir Starmer as party leader in April 2020.

scholarly journals On New Forms of Science Communication and Communication in Science: A Videographic Approach to Visuality in Science Slams and Academic Group Talk

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 363-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
René Wilke ◽  
Miira Hill
Keyword(s):  
Science Communication ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Social Actors ◽  
Science Group ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Communicative Actions ◽  
Communication In Science ◽  
Academic Group

In this article, we focus on the communicative character of visuality and visual representations (“visuals”) in transdisciplinary science communication (science slams) and interdisciplinary communication within science (group talks). We propose a methodology for the study of visuality and the use of visuals as communicative actions. Both unfold within a triadic structure of social actors and the objectivations they (re-)produce. Therefore, we combine the approach of videography and focused ethnography. This research design allows not only putting actions under an audiovisual microscope but also to combine ethnographic knowledge stemming from fieldwork with the audiovisual analysis in front of screens. Using data from our empirical fields (science communication in science slams as well as communication within science in group talks), we illustrate the vital role of visuality of new practices in the communicative construction of (scientific) reality. In doing so, we also emphasize the importance of audiovisual methods for qualitative empirical social research today.

Mutable Matter: Using Sensory Methods in Public Engagement with Nanotechnology

Leonardo ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Last
Keyword(s):  
Public Engagement ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Public Realm ◽  
Pilot Program ◽  
Art Practice ◽  
The Public ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Future

Mutable Matter is an experimental public engagement pilot program that seeks to enable non-scientists to explore and co-imagine the future of nanotechnology. Located at the intersection of geography, science communication and art practice, Mutable Matter is intended as a starting point for examining playful sensory engagement methods bridging tangible public and intangible scientific spaces. The project both challenges the role of non-scientists as mere commentators on pre-decided innovation trajectories and draws attention to the way scientific information is creatively encountered in the public realm.

scholarly journals A historical kaleidoscope of public communication of science and technology

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (03) ◽  
pp. E ◽  
Author(s):  
Luisa Massarani ◽  
Ildeu Moreira ◽  
Bruce Lewenstein
Keyword(s):  
Science Communication ◽  
Print Media ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Public Communication ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Building Science ◽  
The Third ◽  
History Of ◽  
Communication Of Science ◽  
Different Parts

Science communication is today a well-established ―although young― area of research. However, there are only a few books and papers analyzing how science communication has developed historically. Aiming to, in some way, contribute to filling this gap, JCOM organized this special issue on the History of Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST), joining 15 contributions, from different parts of the globe. The papers published in this issue are organized in three groups, though with diffuse boundaries: geography, media, and discipline. The first group contains works that deal descriptively and critically with the development of PCST actions and either general or specific public policies for this area in specific countries. A second set of papers examines aspects of building science communication on TV or in print media. The third group of papers presents and discusses important PCST cases in specific areas of science or technology at various historical moments.

scholarly journals Institutional Satisfaction and Recommendation: What Really Matters to International Students?

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 262-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravichandran Ammigan
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Quantitative Study ◽  
International Student ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
University Administrators ◽  
Retention Strategies ◽  
Using Data ◽  
University Experience ◽  
The University

This quantitative study investigates the role of satisfaction variables as predictors of institutional recommendation for over 45,000 international students at 96 different institutions globally. Using data from the International Student Barometer (ISB), it demonstrates which aspects of the university experience are most significant on students’ propensity to recommend their institution to prospective applicants. This article also discusses key implications and policy recommendations for how university administrators and international educators could enhance the international student experience and strengthen recruitment and retention strategies on their respective campuses.

scholarly journals Cultural differences accompany the growth of science communication

2004 ◽  
Vol 03 (03) ◽  
pp. F02
Author(s):  
Yuri Castelfranchi
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Differences ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Science Museum ◽  
Public Communication ◽  
Communication Of Science ◽  
Growth Of Science

In a beautiful Barcelona, bathed in sun, the 8th PCST Congress was celebrated at the beginning of June.1 Besides the magnificent location of this year, there are several other reasons to commemorate the event. The first reason is that the community of professionals and scholars interested in Public Communication of Science and Technology (science journalists and writers, scientists, sociologists, teachers, historians, science museum curators, etc.) is growing quickly.

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