New release

Scientists as Superheroes? Communicating Complexity during COVID-19

Augsburg, F. I., Ransom, L. A., & Stroud, S. R. (2024). Scientists as Superheroes? Communicating Complexity during COVID-19. Centre for Media Engagement.
mediaengagement.org/research/scientists-as-superheroes/

Since spring 2020, COVID-19 has shaped social, political and scientific discourse worldwide. Particularly at the height of the pandemic, scientists were confronted with the expectation of informing an unsettled public about acute health issues and providing simple explanations and quick answers to complex questions. The development of scientific knowledge was characterised by unprecedented speed, dynamism and uncertainty, which made it difficult for researchers to act successfully as communicators at the same time. The case study addresses precisely this dual function and, from an ethical perspective, encourages reflection and discussion on the role of scientists using the example of COVID-19 and the associated debate about nanoparticles in mRNA vaccines.

Click here for the case study: https: //mediaengagement.org/research/scientists-as-superheroes/

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