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... requires that journalists adapt to the adaptions of researchers playing their own game just as well the journalists themselves. 11/

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While much attention has been paid to the potential negative consequences of mediatization, the thesis brings forth the possibilities of mediatization patterns among scientists that can benefit public interest and support effective science communication. This, however... 10/

Those functional niches on the mediatization spectrum fit different roles that researcher can take (e.g., critic, explainer, advocate) but can vary in the extent to which they benefit the scientific endeavor, the institutions, the researchers, the journalists or the public. 9/

… listed on the image. I conclude that different goals require different adaptions to media logic, leading to researchers taking different roles, each with their characteristic pattern of mediatization, captured with the help of the proposed indicators. 8/

Next to the ESTCube-1 team, I interviewed university decision-makers and other visible scientists. Then I used the comparison of media practices to develop five dimensions in which the relationship of the scientists to media logic produce functional differences. These are… 7/

I saw that the ESTCube-1 team would be a perfect case to explore the process and impacts of mediatization on the micro-level. The thesis sought to understand mediatization process, indicators and impacts. 6/

I also found useful the idea of “mental mediatization by Frank Marcinkowski: As individuals experience “the omnipresence of media” and “what powers of influence the media can exercise” they develop ideas about how media functions. The perceptions then lead to adaptations. 5/

She wrote that in 1977. Today, the pressure on scientists to appear in the media is much greater as this is expected to increase the impact of science in society. The critical perspective, however, warns that intense interactions with media can backfire. 4/

Then I read Rae Goodell’s “The Visible Scientists” and recognized she had captured something essential: „Dramatic changes in science and in communication are forcing changes in science communication, and, in the process, in the kind of scientist who gets communicated.” 3/

As a science journalist, I was able to closely observe the team of ESTCube-1, the first Estonian satellite. I followed their development into a group of high media prominence and could see how they were adopting media logic to gain this visibility. 2/

Jaan Aru @jaanaru.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

My many new followers may have missed the news that I defended my PhD a few months ago. Under the title “Mediatization of scientists: process, indicators, impact”, I explored the changing interaction patterns of scientists and journalists in #scicomm. It all started with an Estonian satellite. 1/

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Reposted by Arko Olesk

I have a post-doc position to study the effect of AI on education. How can we ensure that AI tools enhance natural intelligence? The position is a part of the Estonian Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence. Please repost - not easy to get people to work in Estonia 🥶 #edusky #neuroAI

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I would advise researchers to make references accessible in some way but not count on them too much as tools for trust-building. An engaging and empathetic communication style may be more important. Wasn't planning to write this long. Will return to reading now. End of thread

So, how to we balance those contradictory expectations? Most often, I have seen that more or less detailed references are provided separately (in the annex of a book or on a website accessible with a special link). This way, references are available but do not interfere with the reading flow. 6/7

Also, references as a signal can be imitated (as we have pseudoscience promoters seen regularly do, using their own sources designed to look like proper science). And figuring out the quality of referenced sources is an advanced skill. 5/7

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On the other hand, one can argue that when readability suffers, other signals cannot be effective either. Especially if we target groups that are outside the bubble of people who are already interested in science and are familiar with those signals of trustworthiness. 4/7

The use of references also serves as a demarcation tool. This text has references, therefore it is scientific, therefore more trustworthy than other text you read on the same topic. At the age when trust has become a more prominent goal of #scicomm over explaining, it seems to make sense. 3/7

It made me think. Although a similar suggestion to drop references is often given to researchers in communication trainings, it meets a lot of resistance. Why? Because references are perceived as a strong signal of scientific validity, another requirement for quality #scicomm. 2/7

The first of QUEST quality indicators for science communication: scientific, which states that communication is based on rigorous scientific information and references to sources are added.

Arko Olesk @arkoolesk.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

I'm reading The Naked Ape (1967) by Desmond Morris and this is how he opens the book: "This book is intended for a general audience and authorities have therefore not been quoted in the text. To do so would have broken the flow of words and is a practice suitable only for a more technical work." 1/7

The Naked Ape by Desmond Morris book cover

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Plus, methods and related debates can sometimes make up their own fascinating story. Yes, mostly methods are tedious and many details unnecessary but weaving the necessary ones them into the story is a valuable skill of a science communicator.

Arko Olesk @arkoolesk.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

I recognise the dilemma. One important function of science communication is building scientific literacy, i.e., understanding how knowledge is created so that people can ask better questions when they encounter various claims. Familiarity with methods certainly helps.

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Arko Olesk @arkoolesk.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Teenagers today are no longer inspired by Greta Thunberg, I heard from the educators at Climate House by the Norway Museum of Natural History. She is rather associated with civil disobedience to which they oppose. Now, climate engagement among young people is declining.

Dr Alex Bond @thelabandfield.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

Reposted by Arko Olesk

This is the first bird extinction in mainland Europe in 500 years. 1400 birds are globally threatened with extinction. 230 are Critically Endangered. The Slender-billed Curlew is just the latest in over 200 bird extinctions since 1500. 😢🪶🧪

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Arko Olesk @arkoolesk.bsky.social · 08/11/2024

Responding to follow the discussion. We're planning a study on Open Science and public communication practices of archaeologists and initial literature review raised the same question for us.

Arko Olesk @arkoolesk.bsky.social · 23/09/2024

I was invited to review the book "50 essentials on science communication" for the journal Public Understanding of Science. I conclude that the book has many strengths but does not fully reflect current best practices in the field. Read the review here: medium.com/scicomm-book...

medium.com

50 Essentials on Science Communication

Review by Arko Olesk

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Arko Olesk @arkoolesk.bsky.social · 17/09/2024

I will defend my PhD thesis tomorrow. Under the title “Mediatization of scientists: process, indicators, impact”, I explore the changing interaction patterns of scientists and journalists in #scicomm. Check out the full text here: researchgate.net/publication/...

researchgate.net

(PDF) MEDIATIZATION OF SCIENTISTS: PROCESS, INDICATORS, IMPACT

PDF | Increasingly, “the demand to communicate with the public has become part of [scientists’] legitimating exercises” (Weingart, 2012). Visibility of... | Find, read and cite all the research you ne...

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Arko Olesk @arkoolesk.bsky.social · 06/03/2024

One takeaway from the first day of the Munich science communication evaluation conference: the first reason why #sciencecommunication need evaluation is because it pushes us to define communication objectives and reflect on them.

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Arko Olesk @arkoolesk.bsky.social · 20/12/2023

Hmm... that's not too encouraging for the hope that in social media #scicomm can engage groups outside the circle already interested in science: "Instagram and Facebook show lower engagement when mentioning the scientific community".

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Arko Olesk @arkoolesk.bsky.social · 12/12/2023

#scicomm "activities lack clarity and purposefulness when viewed as a formality and not an organic part of the actual activities of a project. It means that science communication activities with “Excel table syndrome” do not contribute to their quality or impact." jcom.sissa.it/article/pubi...

jcom.sissa.it

Training researchers and planning science communication and dissemination activities: testing the QU...

This study tests the potential of using the QUEST model in science communication teaching and applying the model in planning communication and dissemination (C&D) activities for research applicati...

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Arko Olesk @arkoolesk.bsky.social · 26/10/2023

Call to #SciComm practitioners and anyone keen for greater citizen engagement with research. The EU project COALESCE invites you to be part of our community of practice, where you can be part of building the future EU Competence Centre for science communication. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...