Science Communication: Communicating Trustworthy Information in the Digital World
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Science Communication: Communicating Trustworthy Information in the Digital World
Instructors: Jason H. Pridmore
3,974 already enrolled
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What you'll learn
Learn about the best practices for effective science communication
Understand how different stakeholders (policymakers, scientists, journalists) approach science communication
Learn about the advantages and drawbacks of communicating science in digital media and their implications for public trust.
Develop hands-on skills using tools and resources to evaluate information in digital media.
Details to know
4 assignments
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There are 8 modules in this course
In a world of information overload, how does one find reliable information? Science is supposed to be the answer to our society's complicated challenges. However, as the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted, not understanding what is fake news, misinformation or what is fact may lead to widespread public mistrust, or turn science into fuel for conspiracy theories or propaganda. Scientific findings are prone to change, making it difficult to effectively communicate them to the public. This fosters broad public skepticism towards major institutions, from the government to media to science. So, how can we communicate science effectively? And how can we rebuild trust in science? As a result, it is critical that we reconsider our science communication practices to recover public trust.
This course offers a current overview of science communication. We cover a wide range of topics like fake news, mis- or disinformation, but also how to combat these practices. We explore how major stakeholders (scientists, policymakers, science communicators and citizens) can work together to improve science communication. And we tackle how people and organizations can earn and maintain public trust via effective science communication. We recommend this course to scientists, journalists, policymakers or any learners interested in science communication. More information can be found at www.trescaproject.eu (This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No 872855.)
Welcome to the course! In this module, you will learn about the importance and relevance of effective science communication in the digital world. We will outline various topics and important concepts that will be discussed in the next modules.
What's included
1 video
1 video•Total 5 minutes
- Introduction to the Course•5 minutes
In this module, you will explore the effects of digital media on science communication and the implications on social trust.
What's included
4 videos1 assignment
4 videos•Total 23 minutes
- The Digital Context of Communication•10 minutes
- The Importance of Trust •4 minutes
- Strengthening Collaborations to Improve Public Trust•4 minutes
- Information Overload & Misinformation•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Test Your Knowledge•30 minutes
In the age of misinformation and fake news, there seems to be a public outcry for ‘trust in science’. This module shows you how social scientists produce knowledge and what challenges they face in communicating science.
What's included
3 videos1 assignment
3 videos•Total 14 minutes
- Knowledge Production Cycle: Part 1•3 minutes
- Knowledge Production Cycle: Part 2•4 minutes
- Communicating with the Outside World•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Test Your Knowledge•30 minutes
In this module, you will learn how journalists combat threats like fake news or misinformation. We also discuss how they ensure and navigate responsible and reliable reporting in today’s world.
What's included
4 videos1 discussion prompt
4 videos•Total 61 minutes
- What you can expect•1 minute
- Journalism 101•18 minutes
- The Online Jungle•18 minutes
- Science Journalism and the Community•23 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Share Your Thoughts•10 minutes
Policymakers make decisions in light of competing opinions on scientific issues. But what should they do to maintain public trust? In this module, you will explore evidence-based policymaking and the crucial role of science communication in the process.
What's included
4 videos1 reading1 assignment
4 videos•Total 26 minutes
- What you can expect•1 minute
- Evidence-based Policymaking•8 minutes
- Engaging in Public Communication •8 minutes
- Citizen Engagement & Public Participation •8 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
- Workbook•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Test Your Knowledge•30 minutes
Digital media go hand in hand with misinformation. Why is that? In this module, you will learn how digital media facilitate the spread of (mis)information but also provide the tools to combat it.
What's included
4 videos1 reading1 assignment
4 videos•Total 23 minutes
- What you can expect•1 minute
- Digital Advertising & the Attention Economy •7 minutes
- Information Operations & Audience Vulnerability •9 minutes
- Tools for Verifying Online Information•7 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
- Workbook•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Test Your Knowledge •30 minutes
As a science communicator, you need to take in mind your audiences’ needs and characteristics to effectively get your messages across. This module will help you understand how people interpret scientific knowledge. Additionally, we look at strategies to engage citizens with science communication.
What's included
4 videos1 reading1 discussion prompt
4 videos•Total 21 minutes
- What you can expect•2 minutes
- Perceiving Scientific Information •7 minutes
- Engaging with Scientific Information •6 minutes
- Potential Strategies and Tools to Create Engaging Communication•7 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
- Workbook•10 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Share Your Thoughts•10 minutes
You are getting to the end of the course. Let’s reflect on your learnings in the previous modules and identify best scientific communication practices we discussed.
What's included
1 video1 discussion prompt
1 video•Total 8 minutes
- Course Conclusion •8 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Share Your Thoughts•10 minutes
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Reviewed on Mar 19, 2024
Great course important to every communicator and scientist
Reviewed on Apr 9, 2025
Didn't know what to expect, but this was a really well organized and super informative course! Communicates a lot in a short amount of time (given the amount of info).
Reviewed on Aug 10, 2024
In my view, this is very good course for anyone who wants to learn communicating science to the citizens. This course will serve you as a launching pad in the field of science communication.
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