Science Communication: Empirics

This second session will look at empirical trends in science communication, specifically two: 1) Internal communication processes are becoming public, and 2) Many sciences have many publics.

With respect to the first, we will examine the case of the Jones et al. preprint on viral load in children that became the focus of a tabloid campaign and public outcry during the Covid 19 pandemic. The case illustrates how the boundaries between science and society are becoming blurred by digital communication tools.

Regarding the second, we will discuss the results of an empirical survey of researchers in Germany. We will learn that different disciplines have very different impact goals and, as a consequence, different societal actors with different operational logics.

In the end, we will reflect on feedback effects of science communication and strategic planning for impact.

Please, watch the video above before you continue this activity.