Building Buzz

Abstract

Public communication about science faces novel challenges, including the increasing complexity of research areas and the erosion of traditional journalistic infrastructures. Although scientists have traditionally been reluctant to engage in public communication at the expense of focusing on academic productivity, our survey of highly cited U.S. nano-scientists, paired with data on their social media use, shows that public communication, such as interactions with reporters and being mentioned on Twitter, can contribute to a scholar's scientific impact. Most importantly, being mentioned on Twitter amplifies the effect of interactions with journalists and other non-scientists on the scholar's scientific impact.

Considerations for effective science communication

“…There is an increasing number of peer-reviewed papers that review communication and behavioural theories underpinning science communication, examine challenges of science communication, and provide practical advice on science communication (Brossard et al 2005;Bik and Goldstein 2013). There are also papers that provide general guidance on science communication (e.g., Brossard and Scheufele 2013;Kuehne et al 2014;Liang et al 2014) as well as direction to those developing course materials to train others (including in the academy) in science communication (Trench 2012;Dilger and McKeith 2015;Hundey et al 2016;LaRocca et al 2016). There are also a growing number of organizations and companies that offer training or consultation services in science communication (e.g., compassonline.org; commnatural.com), or provide platforms for hosting science communication events (e.g., beneaththewaves.org).…”

“…The typical scientist is thus more active and engaged in science communication than they were a decade ago (Liang et al 2014). Given that many scientists seek information on how to communicateor how to communicate better-we have generated a list of key considerations and tips for those interested in engaging in science communication.…”

Likes para a ciência: divulgação científica e consumo de notícias na página I Fucking Love Science no Facebook

“…A grande maioria dos cientistas citados nominalmente tem pesquisas de grande repercussão histórica como Marie Curie e Albert Einsten ou de grande visibilidade midiática como Jane Goodall e Stephen Hawking. O mesmo comportamento tem precedentes na literatura e é conhecido como "Saganization" effect (Liang et al, 2014), em referência a Carl Sagan, e acontece quando cientistas mais engajados midiaticamente acabam tendo mais impacto acadêmico do que seus colegas menos engajados.…”

“…É o caso dos trabalhos de Auberguini (2007) e Ricci (2010). Estudos mais recentes mostram as relações entre a divulgação científica e as novas mídias, em especial Liang et al (2014) e Veltri (2013.…”

In the footsteps of Einstein, Sagan and Barnard: Identifying South Africa’s most visible scientists

“…12 Furthermore, highprofile scientists have been shown to outperform their less visible peers in terms of scientific productivity 13,14 and their media visibility may well boost their scientific impact 15,16 . That is why we had the goal of identifying and locating the most visible scientists in South Africa, with a special focus on their population group, gender, age, employment sector and research fields.…”