Everybody has what it takes to be a scientist! From measuring light pollution via a smartphone app to analyzing pollution on the beach or mapping invasive mosquitoes – these are just three examples of projects in Germany where citizens collaborate with science. Citizen science invites non-professionals to support and conduct scientific research by collecting and analyzing data and bringing in their own questions.
The online platform Bürger schaffen Wissen – Citizens Create Knowledge informs about citizen science, different projects and the opportunities to participate. The platform also connects current projects to each other and seeks to increase public awareness of Citizen science. Bürger schaffen Wissen is a joint project of Wissenschaft im Dialog and the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin. The platform is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research; additional funding is provided by the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft.
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.
The online competition “Fast Forward Science“ honours people who are not only passionate about science themselves, but can also inspire others. The contestants are passionate about research, innovative multimedia formats and communication. Whether you are a student, postdoc, vlogger or communicator, you can submit social media contributions on scientific topics. The aim is to convey current research - understandable, targeted and with an aha-experience. The online competition is worth a total of 23.000 euros. It has taken place since 2013 and is a joint project of Wissenschaft im Dialog and Stifterverband.
The Hochschulwettbewerb is a communication challenge for young scientists from all research areas. Open to college and university students, PhD students and young scientists from all research areas, competitors are asked to design projects on the topic of the current German Science Year. The challenge is twofold: On the one hand competitors must show the value of science for society in an interactive way and on the other they must present research results related to the working life of the future understandably.
"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.
Scicomm-Support is a support and advice center to provide a contact point for support and advice for scientists and science communicators affected by hate speech, hostility towards science and non-objective conflicts. The support is free of charge and can be reached by telephone. Scicomm Support is operated by Bundesverband Hochschulkommunikation and Wissenschaft im Dialog.
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.
Wissenschaft kommunizieren is Wissenschaft im Dialog’s series of summer schools and workshops which provide training in science communication and communication skills. The multi-day events are targeted at graduate students and post-docs as well as junior scientists and professionals in science communication. By combining a range of lectures, workshops and training on methods and techniques of science communication, the participants increase their knowledge of science communication and have the opportunity to discuss current issues with experts from theory and practice.
