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Becca Beets

@beccabeets.bsky.social

assistant prof of science communication @ University of Maryland // adventures in #scicomm, #riskcomm, #scipol with a focus on uncertainty, emerging science, and public engagement.

660 Followers  |  176 Following  |  5 Posts  |  Joined: 13.10.2023  |  1.6438

Latest posts by beccabeets.bsky.social on Bluesky

Speaker presenting at a podium in from of a room of people.

Speaker presenting at a podium in from of a room of people.

Fun to see Esther Greussing present at #ICA25 this morning on cross-national perspectives on the risks and benefits of #AI. If youโ€™re interested in this research/data you can check out the related article in @jscicom.bsky.social:
jcom.sissa.it/article/pubi...

13.06.2025 16:07 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Special issue title: "Science Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (Science Communication & AI)"

Abstract: "Artificial Intelligence, and particularly generative AI that produces novel outputs based on user prompts fundamentally impacts science communication. It can assist practitioners in generating content or identifying new ideas and trends, translating and preparing scientific results and publications for different channels and audiences, and enabling interactive exchanges with various user groups. It also comes with pronounced challenges, from errors and โ€œhallucinationsโ€ in AI outputs over new digital divides all the way to ethical and legal concerns. The Special Issue brings together cutting-edge research assessing the role of AI in science communication, discussing communication about AI, communication with AI, the impact of AI technologies on the larger science communication ecosystem and potential theoretical and methodological implications."

Special issue title: "Science Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (Science Communication & AI)" Abstract: "Artificial Intelligence, and particularly generative AI that produces novel outputs based on user prompts fundamentally impacts science communication. It can assist practitioners in generating content or identifying new ideas and trends, translating and preparing scientific results and publications for different channels and audiences, and enabling interactive exchanges with various user groups. It also comes with pronounced challenges, from errors and โ€œhallucinationsโ€ in AI outputs over new digital divides all the way to ethical and legal concerns. The Special Issue brings together cutting-edge research assessing the role of AI in science communication, discussing communication about AI, communication with AI, the impact of AI technologies on the larger science communication ecosystem and potential theoretical and methodological implications."

The study was led by Esther Greussing, and is part of a special issue on #AI in #SciComm in @jscicom.bsky.social. Check it out: jcom.sissa.it/issue/129/in...

17.04.2025 14:46 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
PDF of the article "Exploring temporal and cross-national patterns: The use of generative AI in science-related information retrieval across seven countries"

The abstract reads: "This study explores the role of ChatGPT in science-related information retrieval, building on research conducted in 2023. Drawing on online survey data from seven countriesโ€”Australia, Denmark, Germany, Israel, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Statesโ€”and two data collection points (2023 and 2024), the study highlights ChatGPTโ€™s growing role as an information intermediary, reflecting the rapid diffusion of generative AI (GenAI) in general. While GenAI adoption is a global phenomenon, distinct regional variations emerge in the use of ChatGPT for science-related searches. Additionally, the study finds that a specific subset of the population is more likely to use ChatGPT for science-related information retrieval. Across all countries surveyed, science-information seekers report higher levels of trust in GenAI compared to non-users. They also exhibit a stronger understanding of how (Gen)AI works and, with some notable exceptions, show greater awareness of its epistemic limitations."

PDF of the article "Exploring temporal and cross-national patterns: The use of generative AI in science-related information retrieval across seven countries" The abstract reads: "This study explores the role of ChatGPT in science-related information retrieval, building on research conducted in 2023. Drawing on online survey data from seven countriesโ€”Australia, Denmark, Germany, Israel, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Statesโ€”and two data collection points (2023 and 2024), the study highlights ChatGPTโ€™s growing role as an information intermediary, reflecting the rapid diffusion of generative AI (GenAI) in general. While GenAI adoption is a global phenomenon, distinct regional variations emerge in the use of ChatGPT for science-related searches. Additionally, the study finds that a specific subset of the population is more likely to use ChatGPT for science-related information retrieval. Across all countries surveyed, science-information seekers report higher levels of trust in GenAI compared to non-users. They also exhibit a stronger understanding of how (Gen)AI works and, with some notable exceptions, show greater awareness of its epistemic limitations."

In our new study in @jscicom.bsky.social, we explore how the use of generative AI for science-related information search changed from 2023 to 2024 across seven countries. We also examine trust and knowledge about #GenAI.
jcom.sissa.it/article/pubi...

17.04.2025 14:46 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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How is AI reshaping #scicomm? A new special issue explores promises & pitfalls of gen AI, and its transformative impact on how science-related info is created & consumed. Image generated with OpenAIโ€™s DALLยทE based on article abstracts in the style of different art eras. jcom.sissa.it/article/pubi...

14.04.2025 12:34 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 18    ๐Ÿ” 9    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 5
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We present: A new instrument to measure peopleโ€™s science literacy. #OpenAccess in #ScienceCommunication: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.... ๐Ÿ“ข
Itโ€™s a 14-item #survey scale in English, German, French and Italian covering three key dimensions of science literacy: civic, media and cognitive literacy ๐Ÿ’ก

12.02.2025 07:36 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 54    ๐Ÿ” 19    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3    ๐Ÿ“Œ 2
Screen shot of a pdf of the article "The perception and use of generative AI for science-related information search: Insights from a cross-national study" published in Public Understanding of Science.

Screen shot of a pdf of the article "The perception and use of generative AI for science-related information search: Insights from a cross-national study" published in Public Understanding of Science.

Excited to share the findings from our new study on #GenAI led by Esther Greussing and Lars Guenther. We explore the use of GenAI (specifically ChatGPT) for science-related information search across seven countries. Our research note is online now (and it's open access ๐Ÿ˜€) doi.org/10.1177/0963...

11.02.2025 20:56 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 7    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Graphic titled "PCST Award for the Advancement of Science Communication as a Professional Field." It summarizes award information that can be found at the URL in my post.

Graphic titled "PCST Award for the Advancement of Science Communication as a Professional Field." It summarizes award information that can be found at the URL in my post.

๐Ÿ“ฃ ๐Ÿ’š ๐Ÿ“ฃ Heads Up: New #scicomm Award ๐Ÿ“ฃ ๐Ÿ’š ๐Ÿ“ฃ

Today, @pcstnetwork.bsky.social announced a new award that recognizes contributions to the field that are often hidden from view, like support for professional development or infrastructure.

Apply or nominate by Mar 3!

www.pcst.network/pcst-network...

07.02.2025 11:57 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Congratulations, Kaiping!!

21.12.2024 16:27 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Cover of the report - it's in a blue/purple color scheme and shows an abstract illustration of a molecule and the title of the report "Understanding and Addressing Misinformation About Science Consensus Study Report"

Cover of the report - it's in a blue/purple color scheme and shows an abstract illustration of a molecule and the title of the report "Understanding and Addressing Misinformation About Science Consensus Study Report"

Out now - National Academies consensus report on Understanding and Addressing Misinformation About Science ๐Ÿงช

It was a privilege to serve as one of the 15 committee members from a wide range of scientific disciplines who put this report together. Quick ๐Ÿงต1/

www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/und...

19.12.2024 18:20 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 452    ๐Ÿ” 173    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 18    ๐Ÿ“Œ 8
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Assistant/Associate Professor/Professor The Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM; aim.umd.edu) has openings for 30 tenured and/or tenure-track faculty positions in Artificial Intelligence, broadly defined.We ...

Massiveee cluster hire (30 tenure track and 10 professional track! wowee!) in AI institute at University of Maryland College Park, come work with us!

ejobs.umd.edu/postings/124...

dbknews.com/2024/11/15/n...

15.11.2024 17:38 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

New starter pack: I created this one for people interested in research on #science #communication and public #engagement with science. Feel free to follow them, share the list, and suggest additions! #scicomm

go.bsky.app/3qW3UL2

17.11.2024 07:57 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 194    ๐Ÿ” 53    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 43    ๐Ÿ“Œ 10
Preview
LSC announces an exciting lineup of renowned speakers for the 2024 science communication colloquium Mark your calendars as LSCโ€™s 2024 science communication colloquium is bringing distinguished speakers from all over the U.S., and the world, to our UW-Madison campus. Colloquium attendees will hear ...

LSC's annual science communication colloquium is back for another amazing semester. Join us and our lineup of guest speakers to explore #SciComm, science policy, emerging technology and much more!

Learn more at: lsc.wisc.edu/2024/01/24/l...

24.01.2024 16:02 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

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