Filter by keyword: Public perception of science and technology

Jul 18, 2025 Book Review

Reviewed book: “Science with Impact: How to Engage People, Change Practice, and Influence policy”

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 24Issue 042025

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 , 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 24Issue 042025

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 24Issue 032025

Apr 14, 2025 Editorial

Science communication in the age of Artificial Intelligence

by Sabrina Heike Kessler , Daniela Mahl , Mike S. Schäfer , Sophia C. Volk

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fundamentally transforming science communication. This editorial for the JCOM Special Issue “Science Communication in the Age of AI” explores the implications of AI, especially generative AI, for science communication, its promises and challenges. The articles in this Special Issue can be categorized into four key areas: (1) communication about AI, (2) communication with AI, (3) the impact of AI on science communication ecosystems, and (4) AI’s influence on science, theoretical and methodological approaches. This collection of articles advances empirical and theoretical insight into AI’s evolving role in science communication, emphasizing interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives.

Volume 24Issue 022025Science Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (Science Communication & AI)

Apr 14, 2025 Article

Contesting dominant AI narratives on an industry-shaped ground: public discourse and actors around AI in the french press and social media (2012-2022)

by Panos Tsimpoukis

This paper studies how artificial intelligence was set to the agenda in the press and social media in France. By simultaneously analysing the framing of AI and the key actors who dominated the discourse on this technology in the national press and on the X and Facebook platforms, the study highlights, on the one hand, the influence of digital companies and government narratives, and on the other, the presence of alternative stakeholder perspectives that diverge from dominant discourses and contribute to political polarisation on AI-related issues such as facial recognition. Our study sheds light on how AI framing can highlight dominant and alternative narratives and visions and may contribute to the consolidation of socio-technical imaginaries in the French public sphere.

Volume 24Issue 022025Science Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (Science Communication & AI)

Apr 14, 2025 Article

Negotiating AI(s) futures: competing imaginaries of AI by stakeholders in the US, China, and Germany

by Vanessa Richter , Christian Katzenbach , Jing Zeng

This paper examines how artificial intelligence (AI) imaginaries are negotiated by key stakeholders in the United States, China, and Germany, focusing on how public perceptions and discourses shape AI as a sociotechnical phenomenon. Drawing on the concept of sociotechnical imaginaries in public communication, the study explores how stakeholders from industry, government, academia, media and civil society actively co-construct and contest visions of the future of AI. The comparative analysis challenges the notion that national perceptions are monolithic, highlighting the complex and heterogeneous discursive processes surrounding AI. The paper utilises stakeholder interviews to analyse how different actors position themselves within these imaginaries. The analysis highlights overarching and sociopolitically diverse AI imaginaries as well as sectoral and stakeholder co-dependencies within and across the case study countries. It hence offers insights into the socio-political dynamics that influence AI’s evolving role in society, thus contributing to debates on science communication and the social construction of technology.

Volume 24Issue 022025Science Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (Science Communication & AI)

Apr 14, 2025 Essay

All Eyez on AI: a roadmap for science communication research in the age of Artificial Intelligence

by Sabrina Heike Kessler , Daniela Mahl , Mike S. Schäfer , Sophia C. Volk

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is profoundly reshaping the field of science communication research. We conducted a literature review of 35 articles published between 2002 and 2024, which reveals that research on AI in science communication is still in its infancy but growing, predominantly concentrated in Western contexts, and methodologically inclined toward quantitative approaches. The field largely focuses on communication about AI and public perceptions of AI rather than analyzing actual engagement with generative AI or its systemic impact on science communication ecosystems. To address these gaps, we propose a research agenda centered on four key areas: (1) communication about AI, (2) communication with AI, (3) the impact of AI on science communication ecosystems, and (4) AI’s influence on science, theoretical and methodological approaches.

Volume 24Issue 022025Science Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (Science Communication & AI)

Apr 02, 2025 Book Review

Rethinking how we think about AI and common sense

by Ehsan Nabavi

`AI and Common Sense: Ambitions and Frictions' critically examines the claim of AI with common sense, a notion often assumed in human intelligence but highly debated in machine learning. The book offers a multifaceted exploration, questioning whether common sense is essential for AI and its broader implications for society and the future of technology. Spanning technical, philosophical, and social perspectives, it invites readers to rethink common sense and its role in shaping future AI conversations in society.

Volume 24Issue 012025

Mar 17, 2025 Article

Citizens' perspectives on science communication

by Ionica Smeets , Charlotte B. C. M. Egger , Sicco de Knecht , Anne M. Land-Zandstra , Aletta Lucia Meinsma , Ward Peeters , Sanne Romp , Julie Schoorl , Winnifred Wijnker , Alex Verkade

The evolving landscape of science communication highlights a shift from traditional dissemination to participatory engagement. This study explores Dutch citizens' perspectives on science communication, focusing on science capital, public engagement, and communication goals. Using a mixed-methods approach, it combines survey data (“n”=376) with focus group (“n”=66) insights. Findings show increasing public interest in participating in science, though barriers like knowledge gaps persist. Trust-building, engaging adolescents, and integrating science into society were identified as key goals. These insights support the development of the Netherlands' National Centre of Expertise on Science and Society and provide guidance for inclusive, effective science communication practices.

Volume 24Issue 012025

Mar 10, 2025 Article

Wit meets wisdom: the relationship between satire and anthropomorphic humor on scientists' likability and legitimacy

by Alexandra L. Frank , Michael A. Cacciatore , Sara K. Yeo , Leona Yi-Fan Su

We conducted an experiment examining public response to scientists' use of different types of humor (satire, anthropomorphism, and a combination of the two) to communicate about AI on Twitter/X. We found that humor led to increased perceptions of humor, measured as increased mirth. Specifically, we found that combining anthropomorphism and satire elicited the highest levels of mirth. Further, reported mirth was positively associated with the perceived likability of the scientist who posted the content. Our findings indicate that mirth mediated the effects of the humor types on publics' perceptions that the scientist on social media was communicating information in an appropriate and legitimate way. Overall, this suggests that scientists can elicit mirth by using combining satire and anthropomorphic humor, which can enhance publics' perceptions of scientists. Importantly, publics' responses to harsh satire were not examined. Caution should be exercised when using satire due to potential backfire effects.

Volume 24Issue 012025

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