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• Date of publication May 10, 2021 Category: Article

  Quality indicators for science communication: results from a collaborative concept mapping exercise

  by Arko Olesk , Berit Renser , Laura Bell , Alessandra Fornetti , Suzanne Franks , Ilda Mannino , Joseph Roche , Ana Lucia Schmidt , Barbara Schofield , Roberta Villa , Fabiana Zollo

  Although the need to improve quality of science communication is often mentioned in public discussions, the science communication literature offers few conceptualizations of quality. We used a concept mapping approach, involving representatives of various science communication stakeholder groups working collaboratively, to propose a framework of quality. The framework organizes individual elements of quality into twelve indicators arranged into three dimensions: trustworthiness and scientific rigour, presentation and style, and connection with society. The framework supports science communicators in reflecting on their current practices and designing new activities, potentially improving communication effectiveness.

  Volume 20 • Issue 03 • 2021 • Special Issue: Re-examining Science Communication: models, perspectives, institutions, 2021 (RETHINK)

• Date of publication May 10, 2021 Category: Article

  Supporting quality in science communication: insights from the QUEST project

  by Ilda Mannino , Laura Bell , Enrico Costa , Matteo Di Rosa , Alessandra Fornetti , Suzanne Franks , Claudia Iasillo , Neil Maiden , Arko Olesk , Jacopo Pasotti , Berit Renser , Joseph Roche , Barbara Schofield , Roberta Villa , Fabiana Zollo

  The promotion of quality is a critical aspect to consider in the re-examination of science communication. This problem is analysed in the research carried out by the QUEST project, as featured in this paper. Engaging key stakeholders in a codesign process — through interviews, focus groups, workshops and surveys — the research identified barriers to quality science communication and on the basis of these, proposes a series of tools and supporting material that can serve as incentives toward quality science communication for different stakeholders across the fields of journalism, social media, and museum communication. And it highlights in particular the significance of training in order to promote professionalism amongst communicators.

  Volume 20 • Issue 03 • 2021 • Special Issue: Re-examining Science Communication: models, perspectives, institutions, 2021 (RETHINK)

• Date of publication Mar 22, 2021 Category: Article

  The types of visible scientists

  by Arko Olesk

  We lack a good framework to characterize media-related adaptations of researchers. This paper explores Estonian scientists visible in the media to propose five dimensions to characterize the degree of mediatization of a researcher, and describes two basic types of visible scientists. Representatives of one type (‘adapters to media logic’) are able to explain the project simply and engagingly in the media, while those of the second type (‘adopters of media logic’) proactively create media interactions and manage them to achieve strategic aims. The results show how individual actors translate communication objectives into media practices, explaining variabilities in scientists' media presence.

  Volume 20 • Issue 02 • 2021

• Date of publication Jun 14, 2019 Category: Article

  The possibilities of Open Science for knowledge transfer in the science-policy interface

  by Arko Olesk , Esta Kaal , Kristel Toom

  This paper explores the possible role of Open Science in the knowledge transfer between research and policy, focusing on its potential use by scientific councillors at Estonian ministries. Qualitative interviews with scientific councillors show that they perceive their role as intermediaries between research and policy and focus their work on improving the quality of research commissioned by their ministry. This process, for them, involves using existing academic articles and datasets to which, however, they lack official access. We show that Open Science can contribute to knowledge transfer if there are knowledge brokers in public sector organizations.

  Volume 18 • Issue 03 • 2019 • Special Issue: Communication at the Intersection of Science and Politics, 2019 (Intersection of Science and Politics)

• Date of publication Jul 20, 2017 Category: Article

  Beyond propaganda: science coverage in Soviet Estonian media

  by Arko Olesk

  Previous studies have concluded that science coverage in Soviet countries was determined by the ideological function of the media. This paper analyses the science coverage in Soviet Estonian publications Rahva Hääl and Horisont in 1960/1967 and 1980 and demonstrates that the popularization of science existed as an independent function of articles. This suggests that the parallel developments in science communication on both sides of the Iron Curtain deserve further study.

  Volume 16 • Issue 03 • 2017 • Special Issue: History of Science Communication, 2017 (History of Scicomm)