Forum Wissenschaftskommunikation 2022 takes place from October 4 to 6 2022. The thematic focus this year is:
“Shaping transformation – Science communication for a changing society”
Please note: The main conference language is German. On 5 October 2022 there will also be English programme contributions throughout the day. The full programme is available in German only. Download the English programme (PDF).
At Forum Wissenschaftskommunikation 2022, the state-wide regulations applicable at the time of the event as well as the provisions laid down by the Presidential Board of Leibniz University Hannover for compliance with the corona protection measures apply. We will inform you about the specific provisions in advance via the conference app LineUpr and on the website forum-wissenschaftskommunikation.de.
Wednesday, 5 October 2022
8.30 – 9 Registration and coffee
9 – 10.30 Parallel programme
Project presentations “special“ Block 2 – Round of presentations
Moderation: Dr. Jutta Rateike, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Round of presentations, 90 minutes
9 – 10.30
A dynamic-transactional perspective on the effects of science communication
Speaker: Prof. Dr. Christopher Osterhaus, University of Vechta (DE)
Scientific findings inform the discourse around important 21st-century socio-scientific issues, including health crises or climate change. To engage in such debates, people need to be able to interpret scientific evidence. The paper that will be discussed here presents empirical findings suggesting that individual differences in peoples’ epistemological beliefs and trust in science affect how they deal with scientific evidence.
Insights from philosophy of science for science communication in a changing society
Speaker: George Kwasi Barimah, Leibniz University Hannover (DE)
How should scientists and science communicators communicate scientific uncertainty in an interest-driven environment while remaining objective? How can one deal with online fake news and echo chambers, and how can the public’s trust in science be improved? This presentation shall provide current insights from the philosophy of science to help tackle these questions.
Journalists’ and researchers’ views on model-based information in Dutch news about the coronavirus
Speaker: Anouk de Jong, University of Twente (NL)
Due to the widespread use of epidemiological models in processes of decision-making that impact society, science communication was and is important in containing the spread of the corona pandemic in the Netherlands. Interactions between scientists and journalists influence how well citizens understand and adhere to preventative measures. Therefore, this project investigated how scientists and journalists relate to each other and communicate the complexity and uncertainty in model-based information about the coronavirus.
10.30 – 11.15 Break with speed dating (German)
11.15 – 12.15 Keynote (German)
12.15 – 13.15 Lunch break
13.15 – 14.45 Parallel programme (Panel discussions until 14.30)
Utopia or dystopia? The future of international science communication and engagement – Panel discussion
Moderation: Dr. Mhairi Stewart, Berlin School of Public Engagement and Open Science (DE)
Panel discussion, 75 minutes
13.15 – 12.30
Science communication and public engagement with research are developing side by side in Germany, with much welcome crossover in practice. Also developing over the past two years has been the delivery of public engagement across international borders. But, how much international delivery is science communication as opposed to more dialogic engagement? And, what can we imagine the future might hold for truly international activity? The panel will present their visions of a future of international growth in our sector for both activity delivery and science communication research.
Speakers:
Anja Schoch, Falling Walls Foundation (DE)
Marina Joubert, Stellenbosch University (ZA)
Savita Willmott, Natural History Consortium (GBR)
14.30 – 15 Break
15 – 16.30 Parallel programme
16.15 – 16.45 Break
16.45 – 18.15 Parallel programme
Overcoming misinformation and reaching new audiences – rethinking science communication – Interactive workshop
Moderation: Andy Ridgway, University of the West of England Bristol (GBR) and Tessa Roedema, Amsterdam University (NL)
Interactive workshop, 90 minutes
16.45 – 18.15
Scientific expertise being questioned or facts being mixed up with opinions are some of the challenges online science communication is confronted with. Although being of major significance, communicating science today seems more challenging than ever, due to misinformation and polarisation. The objective of this workshop is to enable science communicators to co-create new ways of forming connections with new audiences and contribute to open and reflective public conversations about even the most controversial scientific subjects. During the session the focus will be on looking towards a future in which science becomes a point of connection rather than polarisation and build on insights from the Europe-wide RETHINK research project.