How climate scientists and communication professionals view public engagement with science

Perspectives, practices and constraints

Datos Bibliográficos

ID22094091
AutoresLiliana Oliveira (0000-0001-7441-2401), Liliana Tavares de Oliveira (0000-0001-6122-9878, University of Minho, autor de correspondencia), Anabela Carvalho (0000-0002-7727-4187, University of Minho)
Año2023
Volumen8
Fecha de publicación2023-02-02
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaFrontiers in Communication (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2297-900X • E-ISSN: 2297-900X
EditorialFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fcomm.2023.1046501
OpenAlexW4318997013
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas4
Referencias citadas48

Introduction This article examines understandings of public engagement in science by scientists and communicators in four universities in Portugal and Spain. Methods Based on mixed-methods research, we present an integrative analysis of practices and perceptions of climate change scientists and communication professionals, and identify critical barriers for them to further public engagement. Results More similarities than differences are found between the four universities and the two countries but there are important differences between the two professional groups. Universities and the scientific community at large tend to privilege forms of science communication that are focused on dissemination of information and on self-promotion. Over the last decade there are signs of positive developments, even though some aspects of science communication practice appear to have worsened. Discussion Despite the advancements presented this article Portuguese and Spanish universities are not yet making the most of the potential inherent to public engagement. This raises important questions for research and practice. Although several interviewees acknowledge a normative requirement of having citizens participate more deeply in science, they stay short of fulfilling such commitment. This may be partly due to implementation barriers but also because scientists and especially communication professionals make a relatively narrow reading of the potential benefits of engaging the public in science

Community engagement · Engineering ethics · Normative · Pedagogy · Political science · Politics · Public awareness of science · Public engagement · Public relations · Science communication · Science education · Sociology · Climate Change Communication and Perception · Communication and COVID-19 Impact · Engineering · Media Studies and Communication