Inclusion, reflection and co-creation: responsible science communication across the globe

Abstract

Science communication is at the heart of many of the challenges our societies face today. At the same time, on-going changes in the relationship between science and society and the digitalisation of society can make science communication itself into a complex challenge. How can science communication adapt to an ever-changing landscape and take on new roles? In this issue we explore the potential of ‘responsible science communication’ to support and develop meaningful, open and trustworthy relationships between science and society. We present a selection of papers that review three crucial dimensions of ‘responsible science communication: reflexivity, inclusivity and co-creation’. Integrating theory and practice, this issue advocates that researchers and practitioners should be mindful of these dimensions to create meaningful conversations about science and our future.

The Ecosystem of Science Communication in the Post-Truth Era: Perspectives, Contexts, Dynamics

“…Fortunately, progressive practitioners, institutions, and researchers have already shown the way through public consultations and co-creation processes that foreground the socio-cultural meaning of objects, ideas and problems, and de-emphasise a strictly academic viewpoint (see, e.g. the special issue of Journal of Science Communication on responsible science communication edited by Achiam et al, 2022). Although opening up science museum practices to the input of non-experts may raise concerns about the loss of scientific authority, I suggest that the experience and lay knowledge of citizens and other stakeholders may be thought of as complements to the scientifically-generated numbers and texts of scientists rather than as replacements for them (cf.…”

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

“…Building on previous JCOM special issues featuring the work of these projects (see Kupper, Moreno-Castro and Fornetti [2021] and Achiam, Kupper and Roche [2022]), in October 2022 an open call was issued by JCOM inviting proposals for papers to be included in a special issue on teaching science communication in higher education. Submissions were sought from researchers, practitioners, and educators around the world involved in teaching science communication in institutions of higher education.…”

Engaging young people in science communication about mental health during COVID-19

“…Among these are models of co-creation and co-production focusing on joint knowledge production between citizens and researchers trying to achieve more equal and in-depth public participation [de Koning, Crul & Wever, 2016;Greenhalgh, Jackson, Shaw & Janamian, 2016;Rock, McGuire & Rogers, 2018;Senabre Hidalgo et al, 2021]. Also, in the area of science communication co-creation approaches are being used to co-create research but also co-create science communication itself [Achiam, Kupper & Roche, 2022].…”