Inclusion in Public Communications Strategy for the History of Science

• Representation of People, Groups, and Perspectives in Science Communication

  Public communication of science is imbalanced in its representation, for example with regards to people based on their gender, race, or (dis)ability; and also with regards to the kinds of perspectives communicated, such as knowledges from Indigenous communities or the Global South. The MPIWG’s existing public communications has until recently also tended to focus on disseminating the research and output of those people and perspectives already well represented in our public communications and in society more widely. Through this project we aim to work towards identifying such points of underrepresentation and explore how we can balance this asymmetry over the long term in our public communications strategy. This might be through identifying new aims, objectives, and target audiences in public communication; creating new formats engaging with certain outlets; and developing mentorship and training opportunities in public communication for Institute members.

• Communications Formats and Strategies for the Humanities and Social Sciences

  Many existing “science communication” formats and strategies focusing on STEM science and classic PR styles (press releases etc.) have their uses in communicating research in the humanities and social sciences. But such formats often focus on “breakthroughs” or on “educating the public” on what science is or does (known as the “deficit model”). We find this leads to the exclusion of many people and research perspectives at our Institute.

  The wider academic community across the humanities and social sciences is also grappling with this issue. We therefore see opportunities to develop approaches to identifying core messages, hooks, formats (for example videos or graphic comics), and outlets appropriate in communicating research that is inclusive and interdisciplinary.

• Contributing to Wider Social Discourse around Contemporary Issues

  The MPIWG Communications Team sees an emphasis in mainstream media and science communication on STEM fields that leaves a significant gap in contributions from the humanities and social sciences around contemporary issues in science and society.

  But there is a great deal of potential for the humanities and social sciences to influence public, policy, and political debates and opinions around wider topics, and in recognizing and adding nuance to current debates around e.g., trust in science; science diplomacy; climate change and environment; medicine, health and dis/ability; gender and sexuality; race and racism; religion and spirituality; knowledge ownership; artificial intelligence etc.

  Through this project we aim to identify which topics we can contribute to, and develop our communications strategy—from aims and objectives, to outlets, formats, and mentorship and training programs for our staff and researchers—to start to redress this imbalance towards a more inclusive and interdisciplinary communications strategy that contributes to public good.

Timeline

• 2024—Phase 1: Development of a Strategy Framework/Roadmap

  In order to develop a meaningful strategy the MPIWG must undertake research into the current stand and areas for improvement in its own public communications, and of academic research more widely. In the first phase of the project we will therefore work with MPIWG staff and researchers together with practitioners and academics of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and public communication of science to draw up an inclusive five-year public communications strategy framework. The strategy will be used by the MPIWG as well as be made available to other Max Planck Institutes looking to develop their own inclusive public communications.

  This strategy framework will outline a plan to:

  • Outline the current stand of the MPIWG's current public communications.
  • Define inclusion and intersectionality in relation to the MPIWG and its public communications.
  • Define aims and objectives of the MPIWG’s public communications.
    • This could include embedding public communications as an integral part of the MPIWG’s institutional culture and output; supporting MPIWG researchers and staff in career and skills development around communications; and contributing towards a more inclusive and equitable public discourse around science and knowledge.
  • Define key target audiences of the MPIWG’s public communications.
    • These could include the wider academic community at various career levels; artists, artisans, practitioners; politicians and policymakers; school communities; journalists and the media, among others.
  • Identify underrepresented people and perspectives in the MPIWG’s public communications and the institutional and social factors leading to their exclusion and identifying pathways towards inclusion—from internal training, support, and exchange programs through to format/content development and strategic evaluation.
    • Formats might include short or long-form articles, videos, or podcasts; graphics and visual designs; public exhibitions and outreach activities.
    • Training and support programs could include internal presenting, pitching, and journalistic writing workshops; graphic design for research; scripting, moderating, presenting, or post-producing audiovisual media; further development of our journalist-in-residence programs; or support in using social media.
  • Develop and implement evaluation phases towards the ongoing assessment and evaluation of the strategy.

• 2025–27—Phase 2: Strategy Implementation

  Utilizing the framework outlined in phase 1, in this phase we will work to apply the strategy plan for public communications at the MPIWG.

• 2027—Phase 3: Evaluation and Ongoing Development

  A sustainable, meaningful communications strategy requires regular assessment of its successes in reaching its aims and objectives, as well as areas for change or improvement. This stage of the project will therefore be to undertake an evaluation phase that (1) ensures the project's ongoing development at the MPIWG and (2) enables the strategy to serve as a template for other research institutes in the long term, in particular those working in the humanities and social sciences. From here the strategy would be regularly adapted towards the ongoing and changing aims of inclusive interdisciplinary public communications over the long term.