The value of public science events: insights from three years of communicating climate change research
Date
2023
Authors
O'Connor, Ruth
Roberson, Tara
de Castella, Clare
Leviston, Zoe
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA)
Abstract
Public science events are valued primarily as sites of individual learning. We explored the individual and collective value of university-based science events discussing climate change and motivations to attend. While events were most commonly valued as opportunities for learning, their social context created collective value associated with the physical gathering of like-minded people. Participants despairing at inaction on climate change were given agency through learning, participation, interpersonal discussions and normalising new behaviours. Post-event interpersonal discussions increase the reach of events beyond “the choir”. These discussions increase the diversity of messengers, creating opportunities for new framings and understandings of climate change.
Description
Keywords
Environmental communication, Informal learning, Public engagement with science and technology
Citation
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Source
Journal of Science Communication
Type
Journal article
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Entity type
Access Statement
Open Access
License Rights
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License
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