Discover the world of WissKomm: Research & Science Communication
Society is diverse. This makes it difficult for Public Engagement to reach one group. Nevertheless, there are people who think and act similarly. The researchers from More in Common summarized these and worked out six types.
Listening must be an integral part of a public engagement strategy. This means that representatives should be in contact with the population from the very beginning. This minimizes the danger of thinking from the “ivory tower.
The remarkable approach of the AI Makerspace is the co-creative approach. An inspiration for public engagement projects. From the very beginning, young people are involved in the program and have a say in the decision-making.
Using appropriate film scenes from the comedy Don’t look up, Julius Wesche shows where science communication did not work. Together with Mark Bayer, he derives seven lessons for scientists.
People who have little exposure to science are not interested in public engagement opportunities. Addressing them requires time and resources. For some PE representatives, developing offerings for this segment of the population is a supreme discipline. To ensure that public engagement does not become the supreme discipline for these people, three building blocks are essential.
The current situation of the Corona pandemic shows why communicators have to think along with less affine people from the beginning. People who refuse to vaccinate have little or no trust in science. Instead, they inform themselves on social media platforms or alternative media. They avoid statements that do not fit their view. Scientists have little access to this group.
“Within minutes, I forgot that I was hanging in front of Zoom,” told Alina Loth in the podcast. That was largely due to the enthusiasm of the participants. The Collaborative Futures Academy was structured to bring together professionals from academia and the creative sector, as well as students. Everyone worked on the topiv of sustainability. What came out in the end was not clear at the beginning. A model for public engagement projects.
Normally, the goals of an academy are fixed at the beginning – such as improving one’s own communication skills. At the Sustainable Futures Academy, the open-ended attitude characterized the process from the beginning. The participants did not learn fewer skills. On the contrary, through the shared courage to engage in the academy, each person had the opportunity to develop independently.
People who try something new and break through existing structures can change. The claim to a certain position of power is an obstacle, as well the use of incomprehensible language. Something else would be helpful for a cultural change.
Does every scientist have to communicate? Where is science communication and public engagement institutionally anchored? Representatives from politics, research and journalism discussed this and what the results of the #FactoryWissKomm mean for university communication.