How Researchers Can Contribute to Fostering Democracy. A seminar series diving into the challenge of interdisciplinary research communication.
What? Eight interactive seminars and one skills session with fascinating speakers that will make you think about your role as a researcher within our societal challenges today.
When? Weekly (mostly) on Tuesdays between 5-7pm GMT / 8-10pm EAT / 9-11am PST; 16th January – 12th March (we strongly encourage you to attend all sessions if possible).
Where? Online – join from wherever you are!
Why? Because your research can better our societies. Let’s think research communication further and shape the future of research!
Description
There is a lot to do! Let’s get started, fellow Early Career Researchers!
Climate crisis, social contract, sustainable economies, emerging diseases, poverty, … – we are facing complex challenges that demand new solutions or the translation of existing solutions into practice. They challenge us to leave behind one-dimensional patterns of thinking and practices in science, politics, and society.
As early career researchers, we are the ones who want to shape change and be part of the solutions.
What part of the solution to our complex challenges should and can science be? How can we, as early career researchers, contribute to a solution-oriented discourse in society grounded in diverse and sometimes contradictory evidence to replace a polarising culture war and shift the societal perspective to the numerous opportunities of forward-looking change?
This seminar series will equip early career researchers and other interested individuals with knowledge about scholarly communication at the intersections of science, politics, and society. It will provide you with critical perspectives on the role of scientists in shaping our democracies through a series of distinguished speakers from various disciplines, countries, and organisations.
Program
| Topic | Date | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| The concept of democracy – and structural, epistemological, and historical challenges of communication | 16th January 7pm CET | Caesar Atuire Ethics Lead for the MSc in International Health and Tropical Medicine, Philosopher and Health Ethicist, University of Oxford |
| Scientists in society – exploring the concept “scientist” | 25th January 4.30pm CET | Trish Greenhalgh Professor of Primary Care Health Sciences and Course Director for the MSc in Translational Health Sciences, University of Oxford |
| The messiness of communicating in public spaces – A roadmap for scientists? | 30th January 1pm CET | Neil Johnson Professor of Physics, The George Washington University Claire Wardle Professor of the Practice of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Brown University |
| How will AI influence science communication? | 6th February 6pm CET | Jeanette Hofmann Head of Research Group Politics of Digitalization, WZB Berlin Social Science Center Mirko Bischofberger Expert in Science and Communication & Lecturer at EPFL |
| Public engagement – an indirect path: Can journalists cover science accurately? | 13th February 6pm CET | Mia Malan Editor in Chief, Executive Director at Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism |
| Public engagement – a direct path: Evidence-shaping citizens – democratising research? | 20th February 6pm CET | Joana Bezerra Lecturer and engaged researcher at Rhodes University Community Engagement (RUCE) Division Theodore Duxbury Quality Assurance Pharmacist (DPhil) at Universal Healthcare |
| Evidence-based policy?! When researchers speak to politicians | 27th February 6pm CET | Luis Alberto Rodriguez Former Director of the Direction of National Planning of Colombia Toby Wardman Head of Communications at SAPEA, the Scientific Advice Mechanism of the EU |
| SKILLS workshop: science communication | 5th March 6pm CET | René Oosthuizen Senior lecturer at Rhodes University Community Engagement (RUCE) Division |
| Are scientists the better politicians? | 12th March 6pm CET | André Bächtiger Professor of Political Theory at the Department of Social Sciences at the University of Stuttgart |
Organisers
This series is organised by a group of early career researchers from the Student Network for Open Science, the Rhodes Scholar Group for Open Science, and the Master of Public Policy at the University of Oxford.
Are you in? Sign up!
