"It's mostly a one-way street, to be honest": the subjective relevance of public engagement in the science communication of professional university communicators

2025/02/24 by Kaija Biermann, Lennart Banse, Monika Taddicken · 1 voice · 1 citation
Social Sciences · #Climate Change Communication and Perception

paper · pdf · doi:10.22323/2.24010203

openalex publication_date 2025/02/24 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/11

Abstract

This study explores the subjective relevance and challenges of public engagement (PES) in science communication among professional university communicators based on 29 qualitative interviews in one German federal state. Despite recognizing its value, interviewees reveal significant uncertainties in understanding, objectives, and implementation of PES. They cite barriers such as reliance on scientists and control concerns. Surprisingly, social media is rarely considered for PES, with online engagement seen as difficult. This research highlights the complexities and challenges of PES in practice, emphasizing opportunities for optimized digital science communication strategies and clearer role structures between professionals and researchers to enhance PES.

Cited by

• Powering two‐way environmental knowledge production and communication with citizen science and nature quotient

Discussions

• “It's mostly a one-way street, to be honest": Perspectives from (German) university-based #scicomm professionals on the barriers and uncertainties of implementing public engagement with science; calli [bsky, 8 points, 0 comments]

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