Public engagement with science : a novel researcher-led collaboration with a major UK science centre
Robertson, David J. and McGeown, William J. and Wodehouse, Andrew and Lang, Gillian and Woodside, William and Capaldi, Janine (2024) Public engagement with science : a novel researcher-led collaboration with a major UK science centre. International Journal of Science Education, Part B: Communication and Public Engagement. pp. 1-13. ISSN 2154-8463 (https://doi.org/10.1080/21548455.2024.2398825)
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Abstract
Science communication is a key component of the academic process. Science centres provide researchers with an opportunity to convey their findings directly to the public, who in turn can be sure that they are receiving information from a trusted source. Therefore, this paper focuses on a new researcher-led public engagement project situated within a major UK science centre. The project utilises three freestanding digital touchscreen kiosks that provide visitors with the opportunity to learn about science through active participation (e.g., interactive research studies) as well as through more traditional knowledge exchange routes (e.g., static images with text), and it tested the effectiveness of onscreen QR codes as a means for maintaining public engagement beyond the initial kiosk experience. Data collected from nearly 10,000 visitor interactions demonstrated a preference for the interactive activities (5,000 complete datasets were collected) over the more traditional passive knowledge exchange content, and the QR codes were shown to provide a promising route to continued engagement. We recommend this approach to scientists, educators, and designers, seeking to develop an effective, practical, updatable, and cost-effective public engagement exhibit within a public science space.
ORCID iDs
Robertson, David J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8393-951X, McGeown, William J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7943-5901, Wodehouse, Andrew ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9605-3497, Lang, Gillian, Woodside, William and Capaldi, Janine;-
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Item type: Article ID code: 90403 Dates: DateEvent10 September 2024Published10 September 2024Published Online27 August 2024AcceptedSubjects: Science > Science (General)
Education > Education (General)
TechnologyDepartment: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS) > Psychological Sciences and Health > Psychology
Strategic Research Themes > Health and Wellbeing
Strategic Research Themes > Innovation Entrepreneurship
Faculty of Engineering > Design, Manufacture and Engineering ManagementDepositing user: Pure Administrator Date deposited: 29 Aug 2024 11:30 Last modified: 02 Oct 2024 00:43 URI: https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/90403