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Mar 31, 2015 Commentary

Climate sciences meet visual arts

This set of comments reports experiences from a recent “science-meets-arts”-project in Germany, in which students from the University of Fine Arts in Hamburg (HFBK) shared day-to-day life in climate research groups for several months. The project was envisioned as a process of mutual inspiration with the aim of producing a joint exhibition and symposium at the end. This paper introduces the project as well as the subsequent commentaries and also presents some of my own observations.

The visiting artist researcher experiment

by Frauke Feser

To be up in the air — on being a visiting artist researcher in theoretical meteorology

by Laura Reichwald

Linking sediment and sentiment: on observing a sci-art project

by Werner Krauß

Visiting artist researchers as therapists for climate scientists

by Hans von Storch

Artistic research — why and wherefore?

by Friedrich von Borries

Artistic research and climate science: transdisciplinary learning and spaces of possibilities

by Sacha Kagan

Volume 14Issue 012015

Mar 31, 2015 Commentary

Artistic research and climate science: transdisciplinary learning and spaces of possibilities

by Sacha Kagan

Taking a wider view, departing from the specific case of the Hamburg exchange between artists and climate scientists, this comment envisages some radical potential for the collaboration of artists and climate scientists: moving beyond the traditional boundaries of social systems, artistic research and climate science may engage in a shared transdisciplinary learning process. They may communicate with the rest of society by engaging with others to develop ‘spaces of possibilities’, thus nurturing the creative resilience of communities.

Volume 14Issue 012015

Mar 31, 2015 Article

The energy question in the Belgian daily press during 2010: the role of region, newspaper type and newspaper section

by Pieter A. Maeseele , Karel Deneckere , Koen Panis , Steve Paulussen

The literature illustrates how media research on the energy question is characterized by a limited focus on separate energy options, resulting in a lack of research into the diversity of and mutual relations between various energy options. This paper reports on a quantitative content analysis of eight Belgian newspapers (N=1181), focusing on whether certain energy options are systematically more covered in certain regions, types of newspapers and/or types of newspaper sections. The results show that five energy options dominate the debate and that there are minimal differences per region, but remarkable differences between types of newspapers and newspaper sections.

Volume 14Issue 012015

Mar 12, 2015 Article

Changes in media selection and framing of science news in Croatian daily press

by Adrijana Šuljok

This paper tries to 1) identify the dominant media frames of science and 2) compare media selection and framing of science-related articles in Croatian daily newspapers during two politically and socioculturally different periods: the late socialism and the (post)transition. The research methodology was based on content and frame analysis which encompassed articles on science in daily press with the highest readership between 1986–1988, and 2006–2008. The main findings indicate changes in the selection of science topics as well as in the representation of individual frames. Changes reflected not only current events in the world of science but also wider social and journalistic values, as well as evaluations of the importance of specific topics.

Volume 14Issue 012015

Mar 03, 2015 Article

Connecting opinion, belief and value: semantic network analysis of a UK public survey on embryonic stem cell research

by Leo Kim

This study re-examines the survey responses of embryonic stem cell research prepared for UK Department of Health (DH) in 2006. Aided by the novel method of semantic network analysis, the main purpose of the reanalysis is to “re-present” the overlooked layer of public opinion with respect to embryonic stem cell research, and to reflect on the under-represented public opinion. This critical review attempts to shed light on potential concerns of the UK public in the face of emerging life science policy. The article argues that a new way to encourage people’s articulation and engagement in science policy should be discussed. This means more active incorporation of concepts that represent people’s opinion, belief and value in research. By applying semantic network analysis, we introduce an effective way to visualize and evaluate people’s core frame of embryonic stem cell research.

Volume 14Issue 012015

Dec 19, 2014 Commentary

From liquid nitrogen to public engagement and city planning: the changing role of science events

by Jan Riise , Leonardo Alfonsi

Public understanding of science has been replaced by engagement and participation, and science events, like festivals and science days, have become significant actors by offering direct contacts between scientists, public and policy-makers, as opportunities to engage and participate. After more than 20 years of festivals and events, the need for impact evidence is strong, although it is acknowledged that it will have to be based on complex data and observations. Many science events look for collaboration within the cultural sector. Social inclusion and participation in local and regional development are other important issues for the science events community.

Volume 13Issue 042014

Dec 19, 2014 Essay

Children’s University: sound language styles in a radio programme for/with children

by Josemir Almeida Barros , Debora d’Avila Reis

This essay intends to present and reflect on the production and reception of sound language styles in a radio programme discussing science called Universidade das Criancas UFMG (UFMG Children’s University). This programme, aimed at children, is broadcast on the UFMG (Federal University of Minas Gerais) Educational Radio Station, located in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Volume 13Issue 042014

Dec 19, 2014 Commentary

When science makes us who we are: known and speculative impacts of science festivals

by Ben Wiehe

Science festivals (or just “festivals”) are currently ascendant in the United States with more than 40 new initiatives emerging in just the past 5 years, but their story is not so easily told. The schedule of any one individual festival may contain a staggering array of events, and each festival is different both from year to year, and from other festivals. One multi-festival evaluation points to potential strengths of the format, as well as the importance of the participation of STEM practitioners. Collaboration and social identity formation are considered as powerful festival impacts, and potential challenges for festivals are discussed.

Volume 13Issue 042014

Dec 19, 2014 Commentary

Science festivals: do they succeed in reaching beyond the ‘already engaged’?

by Karen Bultitude

The cultural phenomenon of ‘science festivals’ is ever expanding throughout the world, as universities, city and regional governments, and science engagement professionals alike embrace the concept of a focused ‘celebration’ of science. In the past however science festivals have been criticized for neglecting underrepresented audiences. This special issue explores the extent to which current science festivals have managed to engage with diverse publics, and identifies the key challenges facing the future of science festivals, most notably the need for deeper research into the impacts of science festivals.

When science makes us who we are: known and speculative impacts of science festivals

by Ben Wiehe

From liquid nitrogen to public engagement and city planning: the changing role of science events

by Jan Riise and Leonardo Alfonsi

National Science Festival of Thailand: historical roots, current activities and future plans of the National Science Fair

by Ganigar Chen

The Caribbean’s best science festival: NIHERST’s Sci-TechKnoFest

by Simone Marie King

Einstein’s Garden 2009–2014: unexpected encounters with science

by Ellen Dowell

Volume 13Issue 042014

Dec 19, 2014 Editorial

Exploring serendipitous dialogue

by Emma Weitkamp

Over the past decades there has been an increasing recognition of the need to promote dialogue between science and society. Often this takes the form of formal processes, such as citizen’s juries, that are designed to allow the public to contribute their views on particular scientific research areas. But there are also many less formal mechanisms that promote a dialogue between science and society. This editorial considers science festivals and citizen science in this context and argues that we need a greater understanding of the potential impacts of these projects on the individuals involved, both scientists and the public.

Volume 13Issue 042014

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