The main aim of the project "Die Debatte" (The Debate") is to bring in scientific perspectives into societal debates and to initiate open and informed discussions. Thus, we want to show that science has something to contribute to a broad range of topics.
The project is a collaboration between Wissenschaft im Dialog (WiD) and the Technische Universität Braunschweig. It is funded by the Volkswagenstiftung and the Stifterverband.
"DiPubHealth" examines how discourses unfold against the backdrop of a fragmented public sphere. The fragmentation and differentiation of information channels, views and opinions diminishes the relevance and dominance of editorials and conventional communication formats. "DiPubHealth" explores how the communication of scientific issues can succeed in today's media landscape, using discourses on health as an example.
POIESIS is a three-year European collaborative project funded by Horizon Europe. Together with six European partners, WiD investigates the influence that the integrity of science and increasing societal participation in the scientific process have on society's trust in science.
In 2017 Wissenschaft im Dialog published the results of its fourth annual survey on public attitudes towards science and research – the Wissenschaftsbarometer. By including questions on science in general (e.g. interest in science, trust in science, funding of science) as well as items on specific issues or technologies (e.g. fracking, cooperation between research institutes and industy) the Wissenschaftsbarometer offers the opportunity to collect up-to-date opinions on current issues and can be used for longitudinal comparisons in the long term.
By making the public’s opinion on science available Wissenschaft im Dialog provides the German science communication community with information about their target groups and seeks an evidence-based discussion between science, politics, industry and civil society. The Wissenschaftsbarometer is funded by the Philip Morris Stiftung and supported by the GESIS – Leibniz-Institut für Sozialforschung.
The Siggen circle was created on the initiative of the Bundesverbands Hochschulkommunikation and Wissenschaft im Dialog (an initiative of German science and research). In July 2013, the members of the Siggen Circle met for the first time for five days to discuss topics and trends as well as upcoming and necessary changes in science communication. The meeting was part of the programme “a week of time for…”, funded by the ZEIT publishing house and the Alfred Toepfer Foundation without assignment or mandate from these institutions. Since then meetings have been held annually. The Siggen Circle sees itself as a cross-institutional working group. Since its inception, the group’s membership has grown to 68 representatives from science PR, science and science journalism. The members take part in the think tank as individuals and not as representatives of their institutions. The Siggen Circle is not a closed group. In addition to those who have participated in previous meetings, new members join every year through a call for proposals.
The Transfer Unit brings together researchers and practitioners of science communication. The project aims at making the practitioners’ know-how and experiences visible and accessible to researchers to inform novel research questions. This transfer will spark insights and knowledge that are more in line with the practical work of science communicators. On the other hand, the Transfer Unit will compile and analyze research findings on science communication and make it available to the public in accessible and concise ressources. The Transfer Unit’s goal is to strengthen the bond between researchers and practitioners of science communication and to thus contribute to the professionalization of science communication.
