The Landscapes of Inclusive SciComm, Media Production & Communication & Engagement with Science

Katherine Canfield (Environmental Protection Agency)
Reyhaneh Maktoufi (Rita Allen Foundation/NOVA)
Karen Andrade (Science Philanthropy Alliance)
This session was offered as part of 2021 Inclusive SciComm Symposium. For more information, visit inclusivescicomm.org/2021symp...
Abstract: This panel brings together three landscape analyses that have explored inclusion in Science Communication (SciComm) to provide an accessible entry point to the breadth of SciComm research. We will present landscape analyses of inclusive science communication (ISC), SciComm in factual media production, and communication and engagement with basic science. The ISC landscape analysis, which surveyed equity-centered SciComm efforts spanning the research to practice spectrum, identified challenges in funding, lack of diversity in movement leadership, and the need to further investigate how specific marginalized groups are welcomed and/or excluded from this space. The landscape study of SciComm in factual media production examined the demographics of science media producers in the US and their audience, goals, communication strategies, and producers’ connection with SciComm researchers. This community has been engaged in establishing initiatives to train the next generation of filmmakers who come from diverse backgrounds and providing them with resources to get these projects done. The third landscape analysis aimed to capture a snapshot of projects in SciComm and engagement with “basic” or discovery-driven science. It found that prevailing power dynamics and knowledge hierarchies and a culture that rewards individualism and the joy of self-driven discovery result in practitioners undergoing particular challenges and forms of hardship. Following presentations on study findings, examples, and recommendations for moving towards ISC based on the researchers’ experiences, we will transition to a conversation and mural activity among the panelists and participants to identify action plans that can begin to address the gaps these analyses highlighted.
This session was sponsored by the Rita Allen Foundation.