Arko Olesk

I made an exhibition!
"Tangible Climate", opened yesterday at the University of Tartu Natural History Museum, is about the causes and consequences of climate change. As a curator, my aim was to convert scientific facts into engaging exhibits and compelling stories. Quite happy with the outcome.

New book chapter out:
With co-author Sanna Kivimäki, we argue that in small countries, trust towards science is closely linked to the language policies of #scicomm. There is a dilemma: fluency in English dominated academic world or local impact, requiring knowledge of the local language and context.

Next September, Estonia will give most of its high school students access to the latest LLM models in a push to transform education. The initiative will also train teachers in how to use the models for supporting the development of thinking, rather than dumbing it down.
news.err.ee/1609614773/p...

The same in science communication

(PDF) MEDIATIZATION OF SCIENTISTS: PROCESS, INDICATORS, IMPACT PDF | Increasingly, “the demand to communicate with the public has become part of [scientists’] legitimating exercises” (Weingart, 2012). Visibility of... | Find, read and cite all the research you ne...

There’s much more to the thesis. Check out the full text here: researchgate.net/publication/...
And press release in EurekAlert: www.eurekalert.org/news-release...

12/ the end

... requires that journalists adapt to the adaptions of researchers playing their own game just as well the journalists themselves. 11/

While much attention has been paid to the potential negative consequences of mediatization, the thesis brings forth the possibilities of mediatization patterns among scientists that can benefit public interest and support effective science communication. This, however... 10/

Those functional niches on the mediatization spectrum fit different roles that researcher can take (e.g., critic, explainer, advocate) but can vary in the extent to which they benefit the scientific endeavor, the institutions, the researchers, the journalists or the public. 9/

… listed on the image. I conclude that different goals require different adaptions to media logic, leading to researchers taking different roles, each with their characteristic pattern of mediatization, captured with the help of the proposed indicators. 8/

Next to the ESTCube-1 team, I interviewed university decision-makers and other visible scientists. Then I used the comparison of media practices to develop five dimensions in which the relationship of the scientists to media logic produce functional differences. These are… 7/

I saw that the ESTCube-1 team would be a perfect case to explore the process and impacts of mediatization on the micro-level. The thesis sought to understand mediatization process, indicators and impacts. 6/

I also found useful the idea of “mental mediatization by Frank Marcinkowski: As individuals experience “the omnipresence of media” and “what powers of influence the media can exercise” they develop ideas about how media functions. The perceptions then lead to adaptations. 5/

She wrote that in 1977. Today, the pressure on scientists to appear in the media is much greater as this is expected to increase the impact of science in society. The critical perspective, however, warns that intense interactions with media can backfire. 4/

Then I read Rae Goodell’s “The Visible Scientists” and recognized she had captured something essential: „Dramatic changes in science and in communication are forcing changes in science communication, and, in the process, in the kind of scientist who gets communicated.” 3/

As a science journalist, I was able to closely observe the team of ESTCube-1, the first Estonian satellite. I followed their development into a group of high media prominence and could see how they were adopting media logic to gain this visibility. 2/

My many new followers may have missed the news that I defended my PhD a few months ago. Under the title “Mediatization of scientists: process, indicators, impact”, I explored the changing interaction patterns of scientists and journalists in #scicomm.
It all started with an Estonian satellite. 1/

I have a post-doc position to study the effect of AI on education.

How can we ensure that AI tools enhance natural intelligence?

The position is a part of the Estonian Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence.

Please repost - not easy to get people to work in Estonia 🥶

#edusky #neuroAI

I would advise researchers to make references accessible in some way but not count on them too much as tools for trust-building. An engaging and empathetic communication style may be more important.

Wasn't planning to write this long. Will return to reading now.

End of thread

So, how to we balance those contradictory expectations? Most often, I have seen that more or less detailed references are provided separately (in the annex of a book or on a website accessible with a special link). This way, references are available but do not interfere with the reading flow.
6/7

Also, references as a signal can be imitated (as we have pseudoscience promoters seen regularly do, using their own sources designed to look like proper science). And figuring out the quality of referenced sources is an advanced skill.
5/7

On the other hand, one can argue that when readability suffers, other signals cannot be effective either. Especially if we target groups that are outside the bubble of people who are already interested in science and are familiar with those signals of trustworthiness.
4/7

The use of references also serves as a demarcation tool. This text has references, therefore it is scientific, therefore more trustworthy than other text you read on the same topic. At the age when trust has become a more prominent goal of #scicomm over explaining, it seems to make sense.
3/7

The first of QUEST quality indicators for science communication: scientific, which states that communication is based on rigorous scientific information and references to sources are added.

It made me think.
Although a similar suggestion to drop references is often given to researchers in communication trainings, it meets a lot of resistance. Why? Because references are perceived as a strong signal of scientific validity, another requirement for quality #scicomm.
2/7

The Naked Ape by Desmond Morris book cover

I'm reading The Naked Ape (1967) by Desmond Morris and this is how he opens the book:
"This book is intended for a general audience and authorities have therefore not been quoted in the text. To do so would have broken the flow of words and is a practice suitable only for a more technical work."
1/7

Plus, methods and related debates can sometimes make up their own fascinating story. Yes, mostly methods are tedious and many details unnecessary but weaving the necessary ones them into the story is a valuable skill of a science communicator.

I recognise the dilemma. One important function of science communication is building scientific literacy, i.e., understanding how knowledge is created so that people can ask better questions when they encounter various claims. Familiarity with methods certainly helps.

Climate House in Oslo

Teenagers today are no longer inspired by Greta Thunberg, I heard from the educators at Climate House by the Norway Museum of Natural History. She is rather associated with civil disobedience to which they oppose. Now, climate engagement among young people is declining.

This is the first bird extinction in mainland Europe in 500 years.

1400 birds are globally threatened with extinction.

230 are Critically Endangered.

The Slender-billed Curlew is just the latest in over 200 bird extinctions since 1500. 😢🪶🧪

Responding to follow the discussion. We're planning a study on Open Science and public communication practices of archaeologists and initial literature review raised the same question for us.

50 Essentials on Science Communication Review by Arko Olesk

I was invited to review the book "50 essentials on science communication" for the journal Public Understanding of Science.
I conclude that the book has many strengths but does not fully reflect current best practices in the field.
Read the review here: medium.com/scicomm-book...