Bridging the gap between science communication practice and theory: Reflecting on a decade of practitioner experience using polar outreach case studies to develop a new framework for public engagement design
Abstract The International Polar Year 2007–2008 stimulated a wide range of education, outreach and communication (EOC) related to polar research, and catalysed enthusiasm and networks that persist ten years on. Using a multi-method approach that incorporates case studies, auto-ethnographic interview...
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Cambridge University Press (CUP)
2019
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Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0032247418000608 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0032247418000608 |
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crcambridgeupr:10.1017/s0032247418000608 2024-06-16T07:41:05+00:00 Bridging the gap between science communication practice and theory: Reflecting on a decade of practitioner experience using polar outreach case studies to develop a new framework for public engagement design Salmon, Rhian A. Roop, Heidi A. 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0032247418000608 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0032247418000608 en eng Cambridge University Press (CUP) http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Polar Record volume 55, issue 4, page 297-310 ISSN 0032-2474 1475-3057 journal-article 2019 crcambridgeupr https://doi.org/10.1017/s0032247418000608 2024-05-22T12:55:56Z Abstract The International Polar Year 2007–2008 stimulated a wide range of education, outreach and communication (EOC) related to polar research, and catalysed enthusiasm and networks that persist ten years on. Using a multi-method approach that incorporates case studies, auto-ethnographic interviews, and survey data, we interrogate the opportunities and limitations of polar EOC activities and propose a new framework for practical, reflexive, engagement design. Our research suggests that EOC activities are under-valued and often designed based on personal instinct rather than strategic planning, but that there is also a lack of accessible tools that support a more strategic design process. We propose three foci for increasing the professionalisation of practitioner approaches to EOC: (1) improved articulation of goals and objectives; (2) acknowledgement of different drivers, voices and power structures; and (3) increased practical training, resources and reporting structures. We respond to this by proposing a framework for planning and design of public engagement that provides an opportunity to become more transparent and explicit about the real goals of an activity and what “success” looks like. This is critical to effectively evaluate, learn from our experiences, share them with peers, and ultimately deliver more thoughtfully designed, effective engagement. Article in Journal/Newspaper International Polar Year Polar Record Cambridge University Press Polar Record 55 4 297 310 |
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Cambridge University Press |
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crcambridgeupr |
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English |
description |
Abstract The International Polar Year 2007–2008 stimulated a wide range of education, outreach and communication (EOC) related to polar research, and catalysed enthusiasm and networks that persist ten years on. Using a multi-method approach that incorporates case studies, auto-ethnographic interviews, and survey data, we interrogate the opportunities and limitations of polar EOC activities and propose a new framework for practical, reflexive, engagement design. Our research suggests that EOC activities are under-valued and often designed based on personal instinct rather than strategic planning, but that there is also a lack of accessible tools that support a more strategic design process. We propose three foci for increasing the professionalisation of practitioner approaches to EOC: (1) improved articulation of goals and objectives; (2) acknowledgement of different drivers, voices and power structures; and (3) increased practical training, resources and reporting structures. We respond to this by proposing a framework for planning and design of public engagement that provides an opportunity to become more transparent and explicit about the real goals of an activity and what “success” looks like. This is critical to effectively evaluate, learn from our experiences, share them with peers, and ultimately deliver more thoughtfully designed, effective engagement. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Salmon, Rhian A. Roop, Heidi A. |
spellingShingle |
Salmon, Rhian A. Roop, Heidi A. Bridging the gap between science communication practice and theory: Reflecting on a decade of practitioner experience using polar outreach case studies to develop a new framework for public engagement design |
author_facet |
Salmon, Rhian A. Roop, Heidi A. |
author_sort |
Salmon, Rhian A. |
title |
Bridging the gap between science communication practice and theory: Reflecting on a decade of practitioner experience using polar outreach case studies to develop a new framework for public engagement design |
title_short |
Bridging the gap between science communication practice and theory: Reflecting on a decade of practitioner experience using polar outreach case studies to develop a new framework for public engagement design |
title_full |
Bridging the gap between science communication practice and theory: Reflecting on a decade of practitioner experience using polar outreach case studies to develop a new framework for public engagement design |
title_fullStr |
Bridging the gap between science communication practice and theory: Reflecting on a decade of practitioner experience using polar outreach case studies to develop a new framework for public engagement design |
title_full_unstemmed |
Bridging the gap between science communication practice and theory: Reflecting on a decade of practitioner experience using polar outreach case studies to develop a new framework for public engagement design |
title_sort |
bridging the gap between science communication practice and theory: reflecting on a decade of practitioner experience using polar outreach case studies to develop a new framework for public engagement design |
publisher |
Cambridge University Press (CUP) |
publishDate |
2019 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0032247418000608 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0032247418000608 |
genre |
International Polar Year Polar Record |
genre_facet |
International Polar Year Polar Record |
op_source |
Polar Record volume 55, issue 4, page 297-310 ISSN 0032-2474 1475-3057 |
op_rights |
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1017/s0032247418000608 |
container_title |
Polar Record |
container_volume |
55 |
container_issue |
4 |
container_start_page |
297 |
op_container_end_page |
310 |
_version_ |
1802008163044556800 |