Universities, science communication and professionalism

Abstract

This essay examines several distinct roles universities play in science communication, with particular reference to professionalisation in the field. It identifies the ways in which universities have facilitated, even driven, that continuing process. But it also notes the potential and actual contradictions between some of the roles of universities, reflecting current developments in higher education across many different contexts.

Science Communication Meets Consumer Relations: An Analysis of Twitter Use by 23andMe

“…Science communication has grown as both a professional practice and area of scholarly study in recent decades (Akin & Scheufele, 2017). When it comes to the sharing of scientific discoveries and news, research has examined the communication of organizations such as universities (e.g., Trench, 2017) and government agencies (e.g., Lee & VanDyke, 2015). However, science is also an integral part of many for-profit companies; and depending on the type of products or services they provide, science communication may become part of their corporate communication efforts.…”

La publicación de noticias sobre los resultados de I+D+i. ¿Cómo es percibida por los investigadores españoles?

“…Un insumo informativo que, además, puede ayudar a entender las implicancias de la profesionalización del trabajo de comunicación de la ciencia que se realiza en las universidades españolas. De hecho, la atención actual a las cuestiones de profesionalismo y profesionalización en la comunicación de la ciencia puede tomarse como un signo de la creciente madurez en la práctica, la educación y la investigación en el campo (Trench, 2017).…”

Bringing back the debate on mediated and unmediated science communication: the public's perspective

“…-studies on the graduate training of professional science communicators [Longnecker and Gondwe, 2014;Trench, 2017a;Gascoigne and Metcalfe, 2017].…”

“…However, for Trench [2017b], science communication as a profession is still on the initial rungs of the ladder of professionalisation and has yet to meet much of the defining characteristics of being a profession (a classical topic in the sociology of professions).…”