The meaning of public–private partnerships for science communication research and practice

Abstract The field of science communication is plagued by challenges. Communicators face the difficulty of responding to unjustified public skepticism over issues like climate change and COVID-19 while also acknowledging the fallibility and limitations of scientific knowledge. Our goal in this paper is to suggest a new model for science communication that can help foster more productive, respectful relationships among all those involved in science communication. Inspired by the pragmatist philosophy of John Dewey, we develop an experience model, according to which science communication consists in people’s experiences with science and the meanings they develop from those experiences. Three principles are central to the model: experience is cumulative, context matters, and audiences have agency. We argue that this model has significant implications both for communication research and practice, which we illustrate by applying it to the phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy. We show how science communicators can help to identify and alleviate structural factors that contribute to skepticism as well as fostering opportunities for meaning making around shared experiences.

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An Empirical and Conceptual Note on Science Communication’s Role in Society

Science Communication ◽

10.1177/1075547020971642 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 107554702097164

Author(s):

Sarah R. Davies

Keyword(s):

Nature Of Science ◽

Science Communication ◽

Qualitative Interview ◽

Interview Study ◽

Research Note ◽

Communication Research ◽

Publicly Funded ◽

Research And Practice ◽

Qualitative Interview Study ◽

Using Data

This research note explores the nature of science communication’s role in modern societies, using data from a qualitative interview study with scholars and teachers of science communication and discussing this in light of science communication literature. Six types of roles for science communication within society are identified: It is said to ensure the accountability and legitimacy of publicly funded science, have practical functions, enhance democracy, serve a cultural role, fulfil particular economic purposes, and act as promotion or marketing. These arguments are examined and their implications for science communication research and practice discussed.

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Brazilian science communication research: national and international contributions

Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências ◽

10.1590/0001-3765201720160822 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 90 (2 suppl 1) ◽

pp. 2523-2542 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

GERMANA BARATA ◽

GRAÇA CALDAS ◽

TOSS GASCOIGNE

Keyword(s):

Science Communication ◽

Communication Research ◽

Brazilian Science

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Public Conceptions of Scientific Consensus

10.31219/osf.io/yehsp ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Matthew H. Slater ◽

Joanna K. Huxster ◽

Emily Scholfield

Keyword(s):

Science Communication ◽

Qualitative Interview ◽

General Idea ◽

Public Acceptance ◽

Environment And Public Health ◽

Communication Research ◽

The Public ◽

Scientific Consensus ◽

Qualitative Interview Study ◽

The Relationship

Despite decades of concerted efforts to communicate to the public on important scientific issues pertaining to the environment and public health, gaps between public acceptance and the scientific consensus on these issues remain stubborn. One strategy for dealing with this shortcoming has been to focus on the existence of the scientific consensus. Recent science communication research has added support to this general idea, though the interpretation of these studies and their generalizability remains a matter of contention. In this paper, we describe results of a large qualitative interview study on different models of scientific consensus and the relationship between such models and trust of science, finding that familiarity with scientific consensus is rarer than might be expected. These results suggest that consensus messaging strategies may not be effective.

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A Systematic Map of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity in Science Communication Research: Do We Practice what We Preach?

Frontiers in Communication ◽

10.3389/fcomm.2021.744365 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

Author(s):

Karina Judd ◽

Merryn McKinnon

Keyword(s):

Science Communication ◽

Social Inequalities ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Preliminary Evidence ◽

Theory And Practice ◽

Communication Research ◽

Systematic Map ◽

Communication Practice ◽

Societal Issues ◽

Diversity And Inclusion

Effective engagement with diverse stakeholders, combating misinformation and encouraging wider participation in science is core to science communication practice, and comprises much of the current focus of research in the discipline. Global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have clearly shown that social inequalities also manifest within communication structures, including those of science communication. Practices which are inclusive of diverse audiences are key if we wish to engage diverse audiences in finding solutions to societal issues. Yet there is little available evidence to show which diverse, marginalised and/or excluded groups are being engaged within science communication, and via what means. This paper develops a systematic map of academic literature spanning 40 years to provide a preliminary evidence base of how diversity and inclusion within science communication research and practice is conceived and implemented. Although the discipline has shown an increased focus within the last 5 years, science communication must evolve further in order to develop a robust evidence base for understanding what constitutes inclusive science communication in both theory and practice.

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A Relational Identity-Based Solution to Group Polarization: Can Priming Parental Identity Reduce the Partisan Gap in Attitudes Toward the COVID-19 Pandemic

Science Communication ◽

10.1177/10755470211036676 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 43 (6) ◽

pp. 687-718

Author(s):

Chen Zeng

Keyword(s):

Risk Perceptions ◽

Science Communication ◽

Strategic Communication ◽

Policy Support ◽

Communication Research ◽

Relational Identity ◽

Partisan Polarization ◽

Identity Based ◽

Parental Identity ◽

Beliefs And Attitudes

This study explores the influence of both group identity (e.g., partisan identity) and relational identity (e.g., parental identity) on beliefs and attitudes toward the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Results from a between-subject randomized survey experiment suggest that partisans are motivated to process factual information about COVID-19 through a partisan lens. However, priming parental identity can reduce partisan polarization over risk perceptions, policy support, and precautious behaviors. These findings demonstrate the need to incorporate relational identity into identity-based science communication research and offer a relational identity-based strategic communication solution to partisan gaps in responses to COVID-19.

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