Standards for the evaluation of science communication - international perspectives
Science communication is becoming increasingly important and widespread around the world as science plays a major role in addressing current societal challenges. This makes it all the more important for science communication to be of good quality and to have an impact. Therefore, evaluation has become a key topic of discussion in science communication. While everyone agrees that evaluation is important to ensure good quality science communication, there is disagreement about what constitutes meaningful evaluation.
In a multi-stage consultation process organized by the Impact Unit (a German project on impact and evaluation in science communication), experts from research, practice, funding agencies and external evaluators discussed fields of action for the future of science communication evaluation. One central field of action concerned the standardization of science communication. The experts discussed whether evaluation can be standardized at all, who should define the standards, and what should happen if an evaluation does not meet these standards.
Based on the results of this discussion, we want to address this issue internationally.
Key Discussion Points will be:
Necessity and design: Should the standard be an idealistic guideline or a realistic, achievable one? Contextuality: Is a single standard feasible, or are context-specific standards needed for different projects to ensure flexibility and adaptability? Can there be an international standard for evaluation?
Implementation and monitoring: How can compliance with a standard be ensured and who should monitor this process?
Stakeholders and processes: Which stakeholders - from researchers to practitioners - should be involved in the development of a standard?
Together with the audience, international perspectives from research and practice will be discussed.
Panelists:
Arko Olesk, Senior Researcher in Science Communication, Tallinn University, Baltic, Film, Media and Arts School
Julia Rizzo, Heaf of Science Communication, Laimburg Research Centre, Italy
Mike Schäfer, Professor of Science Communication, University Zurich, Switzerland
Mikkel Bohm, Director des Astra - National Centre for Science Education, Denmark
Fung Hon Ngen, Senior Lecturer, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia
Welcome address: Wiebke Hoffmann, Stifterverband, Germany
Moderation: Liliann Fischer, Heads of the Insights Department, Wissenschaft im Dialog, Germany
Moderation: Julia Panzer, deputy Project-Lead Impact Unit, Wissenschaft im Dialog, Germany
Please register for the event using the form below. You will receive the access data for the zoom meeting by e-mail.
We look forward to exchanging ideas with you!
