Using science communication research to practice iterative engagement in collaborative nutrient management.

Thoughtful science communication is essential for the success of collaborative, transdisciplinary environmental research. We present an innovative evaluation of a four-year pilot project that took a highly engaged and collaborative approach to managing excess nutrients in the Cape Cod region of Massachusetts, USA. The evaluation approach included mid- and end-of-project interviews with researchers and project partners and a reflection from the lead science communication researcher. We found that an effective science communication evaluation needs to be (1) adaptive, (2) multistage, (3) holistic and objective-based, and (4) democratic and reflexive. Results demonstrate that formative and end-of-project science communication evaluation of research projects lead to improved engagement that better meets all collaborators' needs.

Promoting Science Literacy and Awareness across the Globe: the Role of Scientists as Science Ambassadors.

Science literacy has many personal and societal benefits that allows for better informed decision-making. Although the importance of science literacy is recognized globally, there are many challenges associated with its promotion. Scientists are more frequently engaging with nonscientific audiences through public outreach activities and with increasing support from institutions and professional societies. This is especially true regarding microbiologists and other related professionals since the start of the global 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic heightened the need to convey novel and rapidly evolving scientific information to lay audiences. The means by which professionals engage with these audiences affect the efficacy of the relay of scientific information. One method of engagement is the "ambassador approach," which aims to establish dialogue among different groups of people and scientists. In this perspective article, we discuss this approach, highlighting activities for the promotion of science literacy organized by the American Society for Microbiology Ambassador Program and similar programs of other scientific societies. We discuss the benefits and challenges of implementing an ambassador approach, propose potential improvements that could be made to existing programs promoting science literacy, and ultimately advocate for increased implementation of science ambassador programs.

Who should be a science communicator? The struggle for 'legitimate' status as science communicators between Chinese scientists and citizens on a Chinese knowledge-sharing platform.

Qualitative interviews with Chinese scientist science communicators (n = 15) and citizen science communicators (n = 15) on Zhihu suggest that there is a struggle between the two groups to be seen as legitimate science communicators online. Public users tried to show their enthusiasm as science communicators, integrate into the circle of science communicators and blur the boundary between scientists and themselves. The participating scientists tend to discount such activity and indicate that they are more legitimate science communicators, possessing the requisite scientific literacy and noble personal morality.

'It's just a Band-Aid!': Public engagement with geoengineering and the politics of the climate crisis.

Geoengineering consists of a set of techniques whose aim is to avoid the disastrous consequences of global warming, such as solar radiation management and carbon dioxide removal. Due to its controversial nature, over the past decade various exercises of public participation with geoengineering have been put in place, particularly in the Global North. This article draws on empirical data stemming from six online focus groups on public engagement with geoengineering conducted in Portugal. In contrast to previous research, we included situated publics to emphasize the political implications of geoengineering, bringing to the debate those with a potential stake in the matter - environmentalists, activists, university students, science communicators and promoters of holistic practices. We suggest that the elusive and uncertain character of geoengineering moves the discussion away from its technological specificity, bringing to the fore some of the socio-political, economic and ethical tensions underpinning the climate crisis.

More engagement but less participation: China's alternative approach to public communication of science and technology.

This essay critically traces the development of public engagement with science in China in the past decade and relevant scholarly studies. While confirming the country's tremendous progress in the field achieved either by official efforts or by social media empowerment, it argues that science communication advances have not realized the public engagement with science ideal of enabling the public to participate in constructive dialogue for policymaking. However, citing recent studies on the specifics of China's science communication, ranging from scientists' reliance on their organization, to the consequences of attitudinal polarization, this article appeals to an alternative research agenda to broaden our understanding of the dynamic science communication process in the world's most populous nation.

Mapping mental models of science communication: How academics in Germany, Austria and Switzerland understand and practice science communication.

The mental models that individual scholars have of science communication - how it works, what it is supposed to achieve and so on - shape the way these academics actually communicate to the public. But these mental models, and their prevalence among scholars, have rarely been analysed. Drawing on a large-scale, representative web survey of academics at universities in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (n = 15,778) from 2020, we identify three mental models that are prevalent among scholars, and that correspond to conceptual models found in science communication theory: 'Public Understanding of Science', 'Public Engagement with Science' and 'Strategic Science Communication'. The results suggest that the 'Strategic Science Communication' model is particularly prevalent among academics in precarious employment and female scholars. Extrinsically motivated academics, that is, those under pressure to win grants, also seem to use science communication more strategically. The 'Public Engagement' model is prevalent among older and female scholars, while 'Public Understanding' is particularly prevalent among scholars who find their work especially meaningful. Findings also reveal that academics' mental models largely align with the way they practice science communication.

Prosociality in science.

Science is unthinkable without collaboration between scientists. Yet, science is also unthinkable without competition (i.e., competing for the best and most solid arguments and limited, precious resources). In this review, we argue that scientific work routines represent social dilemmas and that two facets of prosociality help researchers solve these dilemmas: (i) sacrificing personal profit for the sake of collective profit (i.e., cooperation) and (ii) deciding to make oneself vulnerable to exploitation (i.e., trust). We use two contemporary developments in science to illustrate our reasoning: First, researchers' willingness to engage with the lay public (e.g., investing one's limited time to public engagement) and second, their commitment to 'open science' (e.g., sharing one's data and materials despite the risk of exploitation).

Public Engagement with Science via Social Media: A Case of Communicating the Pandemic on Twitter.

The poster describes a project which analyzes interactions between laypeople and experts via social media. Our aim is to understand how experts and the general public interact with each other on social media, and how we can use current data to improve these interactions in the future. We created a Twitter bot to obtain data from 15 COVID-19 experts and 7 federal government-sponsored public health organizations from English-speaking countries. The data were analyzed in R to investigate the relationships among Followers, Favorites, Retweets, and Hashtag Count per tweet. The preliminary analysis indicated statistically significant differences between various variables including: Number of Favorites, Number of Retweets, Number of Hashtags, and Number of Followers; the results shed light on the current relationship between the public and experts on social media.

Before and after the Chinese gene-edited human babies: Multiple discourses of gene editing on social media.

This study examines discourses in Chinese online discussions of gene editing by multiple social actors on Weibo before and after a significant scientific crisis, the 2018 scandal of Chinese gene-edited human babies. A content analysis of 2074 posts was done to identify frames, emotions, and metaphors. Findings reveal that Chinese social media have opened up new spaces for multiple social actors to generate multiple discourses. This has resulted in a more participatory public engagement with science and technology on Chinese social media, potentially influencing the online agenda and policy decisions on science and technology. Finally, findings indicate that a scientific crisis can serve as a trigger for significant changes in public attitudes and opinions regarding gene editing.

Step by step towards citizen science - deconstructing youth participation in BioBlitzes.

BioBlitzes, typically one-day citizen science (CS) events, provide opportunities for the public to participate in data collection for research and conservation, potentially promoting deeper engagement with science. We observed 81 youth at 15 BioBlitzes in the U.S. and U.K., identifying five steps participants use to create a biological record (Exploring, Observing, Identifying, Documenting and Recording). We found 67 youth engaged in at least one of the steps, but seldom in all, with rare participation in Recording which is crucial for contributing data to CS. These findings suggest BioBlitzes should reduce barriers to Recording for youth to increase engagement with science.

Social participation in science: Perspectives of Spanish civil society organizations.

There is a general trend toward more active, broader, and more inclusive participation of different stakeholders in science. Civil society organizations' inclusion in the scientific process is being promoted. However, there are few attempts to understand the role of civil society organizations in research. This study is based on the analysis of 31 semi-structured interviews with Spanish civil society organization managers and representatives. Our main results regarding the current relationship between civil society organizations and the research system are (a) civil society organizations mainly participate in science within one single research moment and they are unaware of their potential. (b) We identify a lack of resources, mutual knowledge (among civil society organizations and academia), and capabilities as barriers for civil society organizations' participation.

Why the views of Latin American Scientists on Citizen Science as a Tool for Pollinator Monitoring and Conservation Matter?

Pollinators are threatened all over the planet; scientific data about the status of them is essential for planning conservation and impact mitigation. Appropriate methods and costs for monitoring are being discussed and non-scientist participation in data collection in citizen science (CS) projects is a very promising option. However, there is criticism regarding the quality of data gathered by non-scientists and their real contribution to scientific research, which makes the engagement of scientists in these projects crucial for data verification and validation and training volunteers. CS is still poorly spread in Latin America, so in order to propose strategies to engage scientists, it is necessary to understand the attitude of these professionals towards CS and their interests in engaging in it. To this end, we conducted a survey with 96 biodiversity scientists based in five Latin American countries. In general, the respondents have a very favorable attitude towards CS, although only a small percentage of them are engaged in CS projects. Obtaining data for scientific research is the scientists' main interest in CS, although some of them have also expressed more altruistic reasons for engaging in CS related to ethical and social values. Our paper also suggests five interrelated strategies that can be taken to engage scientists in CS, covering the following: (a) create funding lines to support projects, (b) include extension and outreach activities in the system of scientists' evaluation, (c) promote an inter and transdisciplinary infrastructure, (d) promote scientists' building capacities in CS, and (e) encourage scientists to do science communication.

Apoio a projetos de divulgação científica: análise de edital realizado pela Fundação Oswaldo Cruz / Financial support for science communication projects: analysis of the call carried out by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation / Apoyo a proyectos de divulgación de la ciencia: análisis de convocatoria realizada por la Fundación Oswaldo Cruz

Este artigo objetiva analisar, por meio de métodos quantitativos e qualitativos e análise de conteúdo, as 145 propostas submetidas ao edital de apoio a projetos de divulgação científica, realizado pela Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, em 2018, visando compreender a demanda existente e dar subsídios para a elaboração de uma política institucional. Foram definidas categorias de análise, tendo em vista a identificação e caracterização do perfil dos proponentes e projetos. Os resultados indicam que, embora haja concentração de projetos na região Sudeste, profissionais de nove estados brasileiros participaram da convocatória, sendo 63% das propostas submetidas por mulheres. Apenas 40% dos projetos previam ação/estratégia de avaliação e somente 7% mencionaram ações de acessibilidade, tema prioritário na Fiocruz. Destacamos, por fim, a necessidade de oferecer frequentemente editais desse tipo, associados ao desenvolvimento de programas e capacitação da comunidade da Fiocruz para estabelecer o diálogo com a sociedade, de forma diversificada, abrangente, acessível e inclusiva.

This paper aims to analyze, through quantitative and qualitative methods and content analysis, the 145 proposals submitted to the call for supporting science communication projects, carried out by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, in 2018, intending to provide a better understanding of the existing demand and to contribute to the elaboration of an institutional policy. Categories to be analyzed in order to map the profile and characteristics of the proposals and proponents were defined. The results indicate that, although there is a concentration of projects in the Southeast region, professionals from nine Brazilian states participated in the call, being 63% of them women. Only 40% of the projects proposed evaluation actions and only 7% mentioned accessibility strategies, a priority issue at Fiocruz. Finally, we emphasize the need of frequently offering this kind of calls, associated with the training of scientists and of the Fiocruz community to establish dialogue with society in a diversified, comprehensive, accessible and inclusive way.

Este artículo objetiva analizar, por medio de métodos cuantitativos y cualitativos y análisis de contenido, los 145 proyectos sometidos a la convocatoria para apoyo a proyectos de divulgación científica, realizado por la Fundación Oswaldo Cruz, en 2018, buscando proveer subsidios para comprender la demanda existente y contribuir a la elaboración de una política institucional. Se definieron categorías de análisis, teniendo en cuenta la identificación y caracterización del perfil de los proponentes y proyectos. Los resultados indican que, aunque hay concentración de proyectos en la región sudeste, profesionales de nueve estados brasileños participaron de la convocatoria, siendo el 63% de las propuestas sometidas por mujeres. Sólo el 40% de los proyectos preveía acción/estrategia de evaluación y sólo el 7% mencionó acciones de accesibilidad, tema prioritario en la Fiocruz. Por último, destacamos la necesidad de ofrecer a menudo convocatorias de este tipo, asociada al desarrollo de programas y acciones de capacitación de los científicos y de la comunidad de Fiocruz para establecer el diálogo con la sociedad, de forma diversa, completa, accesible e inclusiva.

The usefulness of science knowledge for parents of hearing-impaired children.

Hearing-impaired children's chances of integrating into hearing society largely depend on their parents, who need to learn vast amounts of science knowledge in the field of hearing. This study characterized the role played by science knowledge in the lives of nonscientists faced with science-related decisions by examining the interactions between general science knowledge, contextual science knowledge in the field of hearing, and parents' advocacy knowledge and attitudes. Based on six semi-structured interviews and 115 questionnaires completed by parents of hearing-impaired children, contextual science knowledge emerged as the only predictor for having slightly better advocacy attitudes and knowledge (5.5% explained variance). Although general science knowledge was the best predictor of contextual knowledge (14% of explained variance), it was not a direct predictor of advocacy knowledge and attitudes. Science knowledge plays some role in the lives of hearing-impaired families, even if they do not list it as a resource for successful rehabilitation.

Science to the people: A 32-nation survey.

In this article, we analyze Special Eurobarometer (2010) data via multilevel regression modeling and answer two questions: (a) How a country's democratization level is related to the rate of public engagement with science and (b) who are those citizens who participate in science policy-shaping and express their approval for democratic governance of science? Reflexive modernization and institutional alienation perspectives are used to examine those issues. It has been shown that more democratic societies on average have higher rates of public participation in science and support for democratic control of it. Moreover, those well educated and knowledgeable in the topic of science are more likely to engage with science, which supports the reflexive modernization perspective. However, distrust in scientists being considered as an indicator of institutional alienation from science is also crucial in both predicting actual engagement and support for public control over it.

Science communication at scientific societies.

Scientific societies can play a key role in bridging the research and practice of scientists' engagement of public audiences. Societies are beginning to support translation of science communication research, connections between scientists and audiences, and the creation of opportunities for scientists to engage publics without extensive customization. This article suggests roles, strategies, and mechanisms for scientific societies to promote and enhance their member's engagement of public audiences.

Participatory Genomic Research: Ethical Issues from the Bottom Up to the Top Down.

Participatory approaches to genomic research manifest along a continuum from bottom-up citizen-science initiatives designed to liberate scientific inquiry from the constraints of traditional research institutional contexts and professional practices to top-down investigator-initiated studies designed to expose the public to scientific research processes and build its support and enthusiasm for genomic research. With foundations as varied as open science, crowdsourcing, patient advocacy, social media, the digitization of health, and the neoliberalization of academic research, a range of ethical frameworks inform the modes of participatory genomic research. Using illustrations from citizen genomic science, patient advocacy, and investigator-led and government-initiated genomic research efforts, we argue that as participatory genomic research pushes the conventional research boundaries toward a more democratizing ethos, it challenges scientific practices and the ethical conduct of genomic research both within and outside of the traditional sites of biomedical innovation.

Mundane science use in a practice theoretical perspective: Different understandings of the relations between citizen-consumers and public communication initiatives build on scientific claims.

Public communication initiatives play a part in placing complicated scientific claims in citizen-consumers' everyday contexts. Lay reactions to scientific claims framed in public communication, and attempts to engage citizens, have been important subjects of discussion in the literatures of public understanding and public engagement with science. Many of the public communication initiatives, however, address lay people as consumers rather than citizens. This creates specific challenges for understanding public engagement with science and scientific citizenship. The article compares five different understandings of the relations between citizen-consumers and public issue communication involving science, where the first four types are widely represented in the Public Understanding of Science discussions. The fifth understanding is a practice theoretical perspective. The article suggests how the public understanding of and engagement in science literature can benefit from including a practice theoretical approach to research about mundane science use and public engagement.

The effects of social identity threat and social identity affirmation on laypersons' perception of scientists.

Public debates about socio-scientific issues (e.g. climate change or violent video games) are often accompanied by attacks on the reputation of the involved scientists. Drawing on the social identity approach, we report a minimal group experiment investigating the conditions under which scientists are perceived as non-prototypical, non-reputable, and incompetent. Results show that in-group affirming and threatening scientific findings (compared to a control condition) both alter laypersons' evaluations of the study: in-group affirming findings lead to more positive and in-group threatening findings to more negative evaluations. However, only in-group threatening findings alter laypersons' perceptions of the scientists who published the study: scientists were perceived as less prototypical, less reputable, and less competent when their research results imply a threat to participants' social identity compared to a non-threat condition. Our findings add to the literature on science reception research and have implications for understanding the public engagement with science.