Towards Evidence-Based Science Outreach: Integrating Science Education and Communication Research for the Development of a Framework Model

• Applicant: Dr. Friederike Hendriks
• Subject Area: General and Domain-Specific Teaching and Learning ; Communication Sciences
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 530597985

The term 'Science outreach' encompasses those activities in knowledge transfer from scientific institutions to members of the public that are aimed at increasing public interest and participation in science. The network focuses on science outreach projects (SOPs) which either are part of institutional strategy, or that accompany large-scale funding initiatives, such as collaborative research centers, or Clusters of Excellence. As their organizational set-up varies considerably, SOPs have different aims and objectives, such as image-building for the institution, increasing interest and participation, or building knowledge of and trust in science. Some SOPs employ communication professionals who typically focus more on strategic communication of science, other SOPs are established in cooperation with science education researchers to design (formal and nonformal) science education programs for youth. As such, science outreach often merges science communication with nonformal and informal science education perspectives. However, what is done in SOPs is less closely connected to and less based on common ground and established research than science education or science communication practice. This is likely due to the different possible audiences, the educational contexts, and the variety of objectives science outreach is aimed at. A theoretical framework is needed to comparatively research effects and barriers of ongoing science outreach approaches on the one hand, and to inform better theory and evidence-based approaches on the other. The network aims to connect researchers from the fields of science communication and science education to collaboratively work on theory building and the development of evidence-based approaches to science outreach. The network will identify key concepts of science outreach regarding ist objectives, challenges, and effects. We will develop an integrated understanding of these key concepts based on theory and research from both fields and include them in a framework model of science outreach. This model will lay the groundwork for the development of further empirical and Design research on science outreach and leads the way towards evidence-based science outreach practice.

• DFG Programme: Scientific Networks
• Co-Investigator: Professorin Dr. Ilka Parchmann