Exploring ‘quality’ in science communication online: Expert thoughts on how to assess and promote science communication quality in digital media contexts

Fähnrich, Birte; Weitkamp, Emma; Kupper, Frank

Abstract

In recent years, the public visibility of science has greatly increased. In the digital media landscape, a wide range of players is now engaged in science communication via various online channels. While these developments offer opportunities, they also entail risks for the quality of science communication. This study explores how the quality of science communication can be assessed and promoted in the increasingly complex digital ecosystem. A two-wave survey with international science communication experts served as a basis to develop a quality framework for digital science communication and to formulate strategies to promote the quality of science communication online. Besides these outcomes, results hint at blind spots in the discourse of science communication quality that demand further investigation and reflection.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 5, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Jan 31, 2023
• Publication Date: Jul 31, 2023
• Deposit Date: Dec 8, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 17, 2023
• Journal: Public Understanding of Science
• Print ISSN: 0963-6625
• Electronic ISSN: 1361-6609
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 32
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 605-621
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/09636625221148054
• Keywords: Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous), Developmental and Educational Psychology, Communication; digital media, quality, science communication
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10223843
• Publisher URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09636625221148054
• Additional Information: Please link to science communication Unit