Online science videos: An exploratory study with major professional content providers in the United Kingdom

Erviti, Maria del Carmen; Stengler, Erik

Abstract

We present an exploratory study of science communication via online video through various UK-based YouTube science content providers. We interviewed five people responsible for eight of the most viewed and subscribed professionally generated content channels. The study reveals that the immense potential of online video as a science communication tool is widely acknowledged, especially regarding the possibility of establishing a dialogue with the audience and of experimenting with different formats. It also shows that some online video channels fully exploit this potential whilst others focus on providing a supplementary platform for other kinds of science communication, such as print or TV.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 25, 2016
• Publication Date: Dec 6, 2016
• Deposit Date: Oct 27, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 4, 2017
• Journal: Journal of Science Communication
• Electronic ISSN: 1824-2049
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 6
• Pages: A06
• Keywords: popularization of science and technology, science and media, visual communication, online video, YouTube
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/904950
• Publisher URL: https://jcom.sissa.it/
• Contract Date: Oct 27, 2016