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Feeling Left Out: Underserved Audiences in Science Communication
[journal article]
Abstract Science communication only reaches certain segments of society. Various underserved audiences are detached from it and feel left out, which is a challenge for democratic societies that build on informed participation in deliberative processes. While only recently researchers and practitioners have a... view more
Science communication only reaches certain segments of society. Various underserved audiences are detached from it and feel left out, which is a challenge for democratic societies that build on informed participation in deliberative processes. While only recently researchers and practitioners have addressed the question on the detailed composition of the not reached groups, even less is known about the emotional impact on underserved audiences: feelings and emotions can play an important role in how science communication is received, and “feeling left out” can be an important aspect of exclusion. In this exploratory study, we provide insights from interviews and focus groups with three different underserved audiences in Germany. We found that on the one hand, material exclusion factors such as available infrastructure or financial means as well as specifically attributable factors such as language skills, are influencing the audience composition of science communication. On the other hand, emotional exclusion factors such as fear, habitual distance, and self- as well as outside-perception also play an important role. Therefore, simply addressing material aspects can only be part of establishing more inclusive science communication practices. Rather, being aware of emotions and feelings can serve as a point of leverage for science communication in reaching out to underserved audiences.... view less
Keywords
emotionality; diversity; science; communication; inclusion; exclusion; marginality; participation
Classification
Sociology of Communication, Sociology of Language, Sociolinguistics
Free Keywords
feelings; focus groups; marginalisation; science communication; underserved audiences
Document language
English
Publication Year
2020
Page/Pages
p. 164-176
Journal
Media and Communication, 8 (2020) 1
Issue topic
Emotions and Emotional Aspects in Science Communication
ISSN
2183-2439
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed