Science Communication and Outreach for physicists

Claudia Behnke (TU Dresden)

The Wissenschaftsbarometer 2017 shows that 58% of society is interested in scientific topics, and even 40% of people are interested to contribute to research projects. However, in times of 'fake news' and 'alternative facts', the scientific community faces a more hostile and also critical environment in which it has to defend its results. Science communication is therefore more important than ever before. There are various motivations for why research and science should be more visible to a wide public audience: from simple justification of spending of public money, to understanding beneficial usage of newly developed technologies, and to explaining the impact of scientific results on our society.
 
In the field of nuclear physics, science communication is especially challenging as the results are not tangible and the impact of nuclear physics research is not directly obvious to people. When communicating with a broad audience, goals, messages, well-defined target audiences, and platforms must be identified.

In this talk, I will give a basic introduction about science communication and outreach focusing on (nuclear) physics. Specific strategies, practical examples, and existing resources (based on the FSP Pilotprojekt 'Spitzenforschung, Erkenntnisvermittlung und Nachwuchsgewinnung aus einer Hand') will be explained and provided. These can serve as a starting ground, and as an encouragement, for (your) new outreach projects.


Possible communication strategies for interested and existing resources will be provided.