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‘Knowledge is power’: A mixed methods study exploring adult audience preferences for engagement and learning formats over three years of a health science festival

Fogg-Rogers, Laura A.; Bay, Jacquie L.; Burgess, Hannah; Purdy, Suzanne C.

Authors

Jacquie L. Bay

Hannah Burgess

Suzanne C. Purdy

Abstract

Science festivals enable scientists to engage with publics, but format design reflecting different engagement models is contested. This study gathered mixed methods data over three years (2011-2013) from on-site surveys (N = 661) of a health science festival, exploring audience preferences for dissemination or dialogue formats (lectures, discussions, community expo, lab experiments and day out). Irrespective of time, age group or gender, lectures were significantly ranked the main attraction (76.8%); most highly attended (89.1%); and most useful format (83.8%). Thematic analysis revealed five themes exploring non-formal learning motivations for audiences, highlighting knowledge/understanding acquisition is perceived as empowering greater health literacy.

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Aug 1, 2015
Journal Science Communication
Print ISSN 1075-5470
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 37
Issue 4
Pages 419-451
Institution Citation Fogg-Rogers, L. A., Bay, J. L., Burgess, H., & Purdy, S. C. (2015). ‘Knowledge is power’: A mixed methods study exploring adult audience preferences for engagement and learning formats over three years of a health science festival. Science Communication, 37(4), 419-451. https://doi.org/10.1177/1075547015585006
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/1075547015585006
Keywords science festival, informal science education, public engagement, lectures, health literacy
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1075547015585006
Related Public URLs http://scx.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/1075547015585006v1.pdf?ijkey=yuecesozizaHtbt&keytype=finite

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