"Juggling Science Communication" Panel Discussion on 8 November 2023And Science Communication on Top of It All?!

23 November 2023

Photo: HRA/Wied

Research communication and knowledge exchange are becoming important beyond just enhancing a resume. Being able to share your research findings is now considered par for the course. The panel discussion "Juggling Science Communication: Communicating Research While Navigating the Academic System" on 8 November 2023 at the Museum of Nature—Zoology illuminated how researchers benefit from science communication and how to find time and other resources despite pressing responsibilities. The Hamburg Research Academy organized the event as part of the International Researcher Day.

Panel discussion participants: Dr. Lorenz Adlung (Independent Research Group Leader at the Center for Translational Immunology (HCTI) / Center for Biomedical AI (bAIome), Prof. Dr. Torsten Logge (Public History, Universität Hamburg), Dr. Dorothea Wildenburg (head of the department Research, Transfer and Europe of the Hamburg authorities responsible for Science, Research, Equalities and Administrative Districts); Dr. Fenja De Silva-Schmidt (Research Communication Project, HRA). The discussion was led by the Berlin moderator Grace Dobush.

Results of the discussion at a glance

• Current opportunities and challenges

  Today, there is a number of communication channels and formats, from social media platforms and science slams to citizen science projects. Public interest in science and humanities is also high. At the same time, there has been growing rejection and mistrust in parts of society when it comes to science. Dr. Lorenz Adlung and Dr. Dorothea Wildenburg underscored the importance of social trust if science communication is to succeed. This requires researchers who are seen as well-meaning, capable, and possessing integrity.

• Seeking different viewpoints

  Research communication is a shared venture and it profits from the contributions from different fields, different perspectives, and different groups. Everyone, from the established researcher to the early career researcher or student, can become active. Many early career researchers struggle from impostor syndrome and do not feel competent. It is important to concentrate on your own expertise—a concrete topic, a particular method, or academic work, recommended Dr. Fenja De Silva-Schmidt from the HRA. Moreover, she continued, for students, science communication can already form a part of their academic training—for example, in project seminars.

• Getting started—does it have to be hard?

  There are many ways to get started in science communication. All of the discussion participants emphasized taking small steps to start. Communicating researchers need to be supported. Luckily, there is already a helpful community and support structures. Early career researchers especially should take the time to learn and try things out. Nobody has to become a science communicator right away: “Start by seeing yourself as a communicating researcher,” said Prof. Torsten Logge.