Bridging citizen science and science communication: insights from a global study of science communicators

Abstract

A large study of science communicators around the world was conducted as part of the GlobalSCAPE research project. All participants in the study indicated some level of science communication experience, with more than 11% choosing “citizen scientist” as one of their identities. This paper provides an overview of how science communication and citizen science are two independent fields of research and practice that have opportunities for overlap and mutually beneficial outcomes, particularly in terms of the practices of those working in areas of public engagement with science. In addition, qualitative results are presented regarding the experience of being a science communicator for those who identified as citizen scientists. The paper also showcases the first empirical insights from the GlobalSCAPE project, which exemplifies how international research collaborations can be used to explore the challenges and opportunities faced by those individuals working in science communication and citizen science.

Science communication in higher education: global perspectives on the teaching of science communication

“…As science communication grows as a field of research and practice, it is becoming increasingly prominent as an academic discipline taught in universities around the world. Science communication encompasses a broad field of research and practice [Lewenstein, 2022] and so defining its teaching can overlap with training [ Baram-Tsabari & Lewenstein, 2017;Lewenstein & Baram-Tsabari, 2022], informal science education [Land-Zandstra, de Bakker & Jensen, 2020], citizen science [Rüfenacht et al, 2021;Roche et al, 2023], and public engagement [Silva & Bultitude, 2009]. Many of the challenges facing science communication educators are specific to local contexts but the ways in which such barriers and obstacles are addressed and overcome can be equally relevant to educators working in other regions.…”

Interrogating illusions of progress: citizen science, science communication, and a call for inclusive reform

“…Science communication, a field of both practice and research, involves the exchange of knowledge, often between scientific experts and public audiences (Burns et al, 2003;Trench, 2008;Bultitude, 2011), while public engagement is understood to be a practice that also involves various publics in science (Rowe and Frewer, 2005;Stilgoe et al, 2014). There are a number of similarities and synergies among the fields, and together, they have the potential to strengthen trust between science and society (Golumbic et al, 2020;Roche et al, 2023).…”