In science communication, new face-to-face and online formats are being developed that enable the involvement and participation of the public in the sense of Public Engagement with Science. These formats are intended to improve dialog and create a relationship of trust between science and the public. So far, however, there is a lack of scientific evidence concerning this field of research. It is still largely unclear how such science communication formats are used and received and what significance users attribute to participation and dialog.
These questions are addressed by the research project SCoPE, which is funded by the ministry of science and culture in lower saxony. In this project, we are researching various science communication formats in the region of Braunschweig using a multi-method design. We focus on formats with different characteristics and degrees of participation. For this purpose, we cooperate with well-known regional partners.
The results contribute to a deeper understanding of the use, reception and impact of different engagement formats as well as to the successful design of future science communication.
Duration
2020 - 2023
Funding
Program PRO*Niedersachsen of the ministry of science and culture in lower saxony
Press and Communication Service of the TU Braunschweig: The Press and Communications Service of the TU Braunschweig oversees the university's central communications concept, provides up-to-date relevant information and mediates experts with the media. It supports the dialog between the university and the public, for example with specially developed event formats such as the TU Night.
Haus der Wissenschaft Braunschweig: The Haus der Wissenschaft Braunschweig offers a range of events for people of all ages to strengthen cross-disciplinary networking between science, business and society. It also intends to create dialog between the public, science and research.
Phaeno, Wolfsburg: The phaeno Science Center offers a variety of experiments so that visitors can explore different scientific and technical phenomena. Great importance is attached to independent, playful discovery and the promotion of cognitive ability.
Press and Communication Service of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig: Among other things, the HZI deals with questions concerning bacterial and viral pathogens, the immune system as well as new active substances. In the HZI's communication, research processes and results are presented and explained using multimedia. For example, they present on YouTube how scientists work at HZI and what they are working on.
