Publications

1031 publications found

Jul 18, 2025 Book Review
Reviewed book: “Science with Impact: How to Engage People, Change Practice, and Influence policy”

by Joanna Kelly Huxster

Science with Impact explores how scientists and researchers can extend the applicability of their work beyond academia to diverse audiences and policymakers. The book addresses the challenges faced in making findings relevant, the ways in which those challenges can be overcome, and the importance of community collaboration in the creation of impactful science.

Volume 24 • Issue 4 • 2025

Jul 16, 2025 Practice Insight
How can we enable school students to learn and participate in science engagement initiatives? Roles and tasks of enablers

by Tim Kiessling, Claussen Christina, Kruse Katrin, Carolin Enzingmüller, Kerstin Kremer, Knickmeier Katrin, Sinja Dittmann, Hinrich Schulenburg and Ilka Parchmann

Involving school students in authentic research beyond their school learning means creating participatory, out-of-school opportunities related to research processes, giving them a voice in the applied format of science engagement. Important for such endeavours is a group of people we identify as “enablers”. Based on insights from two long-term and large-scale science engagement initiatives in Germany (the Darwin Day science outreach and the Plastic Pirates citizen science program), we identified four principal work tasks of enablers. They are described as (i) aligning the needs, expectations and goals of involved participants, (ii) translating differing conceptions about science into shared visions, (iii) guiding the design of the initiative through educational theory, and (iv) evaluating the success of the out-of-school science engagement initiative. We further suggest that self-awareness of being an enabler, working at the interface of the research and education sphere, is an important prerequisite to successfully collaborate with participants.

Volume 24 • Issue 4 • 2025

Jul 10, 2025 Practice Insight
Seedling science communication in rural areas through European researchers' night

by Raquel Branquinho, Maria Inês Duarte, Cândida Sarabando, Susana Ambrósio, Cláudia Damião, Eduardo Teixeira, Joaquim Duarte and Xana Sá-Pinto

This paper presents a practical insight based on the case study of the European Researchers' Night held in the rural village of Armamar, northern Portugal. By moving this initiative beyond traditional academic and urban settings, we helped bridge the gap between science and rural communities, and democratise access to science through a co-creation process, deep-rooted community partnerships, and active student engagement. Drawing from the RERN-Armamar blueprint, we highlight the importance of promoting and/or building from locally established networks of partners, including the school community. Local ambassadors with a diverse range of profiles can act as multipliers, engaging researchers from diverse institutions, teachers, students and their families. Context sensitive formats which promote inclusive, equitable, and sustainable access to science, in addition to the alignment of content with community interests, has further contributed to the success of the action.

Volume 24 • Issue 4 • 2025

Jul 02, 2025 Article
The differential effects of metaphor on comprehensibility and comprehension of environmental concepts

by W. Gudrun Reijnierse, Britta Brugman and Ellen Droog

Metaphors are prevalent in environmental science communication, because they describe complex topics in more familiar terms. Yet, little research has investigated whether metaphors contribute to comprehension in such communication. This experiment (N=510) disentangles the effects of different metaphor types on comprehension-related outcomes for three environmental concepts (greenhouse effect, carbon footprint, greenwashing). Results showed small but statistically significant effects of some metaphors on perceived text comprehensibility and perceived comprehension, but no effects on actual comprehension. No mediation effects were attested. Science communication could thus benefit from metaphor, but communicators should be careful not to overdo it, nor to overestimate its effectiveness.

Volume 24 • Issue 4 • 2025

Jun 30, 2025 Article
Trash headlines: Media portrayal of risks, response measures, and partisan differences in news coverage of space junk

by Patrice Ann Kohl, Bridget Rubenking and Brendan Byrne

As a recently emergent issue, public familiarity with orbital debris is likely low, and therefore especially susceptible to the influence of news media representations. To better understand media representations of orbital debris issues, a content analysis of all orbital debris news articles (N = 207) across four major U.S. media outlets (2011 – 2022) was conducted. It examines portrayals of risks associated with orbital debris, response measures, and terminology choices. Despite evidence that risks to satellite services are most consequential to everyday civilians, this risk was not a leading theme in any article. Instead, risks associated with falling debris to Earth was the most frequent leading theme across all news outlets. We also found differences across partisan outlets, including greater attention to space sustainability/safety risks and mitigation in a liberal outlet compared with a conservative outlet. Linguistically, the more colloquial “space junk” was more prominent than the more jargon-y “orbital debris.”

Volume 24 • Issue 03 • 2025

Jun 25, 2025 Practice Insight
Reevaluating broadcast television news and current affairs programs for communicating scientific knowledge in everyday natural settings in Japan

by Taichi Masu and Yasuhito Abe

This practice insight explores the potential of broadcast television news and current affairs programs for science communication in everyday viewing environments. Using the Japanese news program Shins¯o H¯od¯o Bankisha! as a case study, we assessed its impact on public knowledge of “blue carbon”, a relatively new scientific topic. The program aired on May 28, 2023, reaching an estimated 2.76 million viewers in the Kanto region. A survey revealed that viewers exposed to “blue carbon” through the broadcast showed significant knowledge gains compared to non-viewers, regardless of their interest in science. This included individuals with low scientific interest, a group often excluded by traditional science communication methods. Despite the rise in popularity of digital media formats, broadcast television news and current affairs programs showed their unique ability to disseminate scientific knowledge to diverse audiences, even in today’s multitasking environments. These findings highlight the enduring relevance of television in science communication and its potential to complement digital platforms for broader public engagement.

Volume 24 • Issue 03 • 2025

Jun 23, 2025 Book Review
Book Review: Science and the Public

by Laida Arbizu Aguirre

Science and the Public by Angela Potochnik provides a thoughtful examination of the evolving relationship between science and society. By focusing on the ethical obligations of science, the author challenges conventional views by depicting science as a socially constructed entity with responsibilities to the public. The text explores topics such as public trust, the importance of inclusive research approaches, and the need for participatory scientific initiatives. Combining philosophical, ethical, and science communication viewpoints, the work advocates for institutional reforms aimed at making science more beneficial to diverse communities and better equipped to address pressing societal issues.

Volume 24 • Issue 03 • 2025

Jun 17, 2025 Article
Examining science capital of adult audience members at public science events

by Jefferson Ross Ramsey

Visitors to public science events (PSEs) often report gains in scientific knowledge, improved attitudes toward science, and a greater awareness of science in everyday life (Jensen & Buckley, 2012; Adhikari et al., 2019; Boyette & Ramsey, 2019). However, these visitors disproportionately come from white, well-educated backgrounds (Bultitude, 2014; Kennedy et al., 2018; Adhikari et al., 2019; Nielsen et al., 2019). This paper utilizes a science capital framework to analyze the differential patterns of participation among PSE audiences. Quantitative analysis approaches are used to explore the kinds of science capital that visitors bring to PSEs, how the science capital of audiences differs between events, and how science capital might predict future participation in PSEs. Results reveal that PSE visitors typically have high pre-existing levels of science capital and that those with high levels of science capital are more likely to express interest in attending future PSEs. Directions for future research and practice are discussed.

Volume 24 • Issue 03 • 2025

Jun 11, 2025 Article
Disease, denomination and de-stigmatisation: A content analysis of SARS-CoV-2 variant naming and re-naming in Australian news media

by Lucy Campbell and Rod Lamberts

In May 2021, the World Health Organization announced a new naming system for SARS-CoV-2 variants intended to replace potentially stigmatising names referencing geographic locations. A quantitative content analysis was conducted to identify the names and frames present in Australian news media coverage before and after the new names were announced. Results demonstrate uptake of the new names but also indicate the potential for intended outcomes of de-stigmatisation to be compromised, particularly by persistent negative framing. These findings indicate that future health communication efforts might be strengthened by integrating disease naming considerations into ongoing public health preparedness efforts and support ongoing scholarly inquiry into naming and framing in news media communication.

Volume 24 • Issue 03 • 2025

Jun 09, 2025 Practice Insight
Micro-patronage for research communication: the Lingthusiasm podcast as a case study of a sustainable funding model

by Lauren Gawne and Jonathan O'Donnell

Micro-patronage provides a new model of funding for research communication. This article uses the Lingthusiasm podcast as a case study to describe how micro-patronage can work and some of the benefits and challenges involved. The authors draw on their own experience of micro-patronage to demonstrate how to create sustainable projects. They also discuss how it sits alongside university funding structures, while also providing a measure of independence from those structures.

Volume 24 • Issue 03 • 2025

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