Articles in English

Here you’ll find all our English language articles. We feature opinions, interviews, discussions and summaries on current trends and topics in science communication. If you have questions or would like to contribute, please contact the editorial team: redaktion@wissenschaftskommunikation.de. If you would like to find out more, please visit our About Us page.

8. Februar 2023 von ,

The Fine Art of Detecting Sciencewashing: Definition, Consequences, Forms & Prevention

Sciencewashing is a deliberate action to simulate scientific practices or quality assurance to deceive others. It occurs in various areas, e.g., the beauty marketing or the nutritional supplement industry. In this guest article, Stefan T. Siegel and Jannes Terdenge elaborate on the question of what sciencewashing is and why it can be a challenge for […]
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6. Januar 2023 von

Communicating health information – tips from an infodemic manager

The COVID-19 pandemic has been accompanied by a rise of information and disinformation online. At the Robert Koch Institute, Sonia Boender is working as an infodemic manager. In our interview, she explains what her role entails, how to communicate about risky subjects on social media and discusses the vaccine emoji project.
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10. November 2022 von

“Engaging people in this discussion will increase trust”

Why should citizens evaluate ethical decisions made by autonomous vehicles? An interview with Edmond Awad about six years „Moral Machine“ and the benefits of public engagement and gamification to foster trust in artificial intelligence.
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7. November 2022 von

„If research results are not communicated, society will not benefit“

In 2022, the Swedish science communication organisation Vetenskap & Allmänhet (Public & Science) is celebrating its 20-year anniversary. Cissi Askwall, VA’s Secretary General, looks back at the successes and challenges of the past 20 years and speaks about goals and wishes for the future.
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26. Oktober 2022 von

“Tea is the key to building a community”

A journal club initiative, where early career researchers serve up mugs of ReproducibiliTea in blends of transparency and openness. Co-founders Sophia Crüwell and Sam Parsons reflect on the global spread of their initiative and the importance of CommuniTea.
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25. Oktober 2022 von

„We have to be honest about the uncertainty“

How is it possible to identify an expert in a certain field? Which obligations do scientists, journalists and lay people have in the process of science communication? The philosopher George Kwasi Barimah brings in some clues from social epistemology.
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10. Oktober 2022 von

“Community is at the heart of transformation”

How can research be made relevant for the day-to-day life of the people affected? How to support transformative processes in the way we communicate? The “Transformation Project” at Arizona State University, USA, focuses on transformative communication. Marco Dehnert explains its goals.
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9. September 2022 von

“It is about stopping misinformation from Cranky Uncles”

Stop misinformation by learning the technique behind it – Through the smartphone game „Cranky Uncle“ players are taught, with a lot of humor, how to spread misinformation effectively. An interview with the developer and founder of Skeptical Science John Cook, about the power of humor, the inoculation theory and dogs in the game.
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29. August 2022 von

“We want to give nature an active part in the debate”

What, if nature had its own vote in political debates? For “Letters from Nature”, the computer scientist Peter van der Putten and the artist Jeroen van der Most use artificial intelligence to give nature a voice. A discussion about new narratives on climate change and intelligent algorithms as an artistic medium.
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22. August 2022 von

Im Profil: Flavia-Bianca Cristian

She fell in love with science and stayed for the communication: The Romanian molecular biologist Flavia-Bianca Cristian about her science communication journey and how she perceives the European science outreach landscape.
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19. August 2022 von

„We want this project to be the start of a discussion“

How did the role of British science press officers change during the last 20 years? To gather evidence concerning this question the Science Media Centre commissioned a review. Helen Jamison, an independent science communications consultant who was responsible for the report, gives insights into the main results and recommendations. 
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29. Juli 2022 von

“I want to be a very present and accessible scientist”

Science communication on a gaming platform? On Twitch, Marcus Weinman discusses current biological topics with his followers in live chats. In this interview, the biologist talks about why he values this live interaction and how it also makes him vulnerable.
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10. Juni 2022 von

“Diversity makes things better“

Making the invisible visible, not only under the microscope – The project “Microscope Me Up” by Chiara di Ponzio and Francesca Miricola aims to increase the visibility of science and creates an inclusive space celebrating societal diversity. An interview about a special symbiosis between microscopy and makeup art.
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7. Juni 2022 von

„Physics is for everyone“

The #IOPLimitLess campaign aims to engage young people with physics. Ray Mitchell, head of campaign strategy, explains why the Institute of Physics has turned to TikTok influencers to achieve this goal.
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5. April 2022 von , Gastbeitrag Tipp

Complex Topics – Clear Messages: Writing Tips for Non-native Speakers

Researchers are expected to publish their findings in English even if they are not native speakers. But the challenge remains the same regardless of the language: How can we explain complex topics in a concise way without oversimplifying them? Rebecca Henschel and Klaus Wingen have put together some of the best tips of the trade.
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4. März 2022 von

Borderlands Science: Engaging gamers with research

A Tetris-like game enlists players of the looter-shooter Borderlands 3 to aid science. A researcher, a science communication professor and a video game expert talk about how to engage people with citizen science in video games.
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