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Workbook for Participatory Scientific Communication

Table of Contents Introduction Framing 1 What is the Problem 2 What are the Long term Goals 3 What Information is Needed 4 What Information is Already Known 5 What are the Facts 6 What are the Values 7 How will what is designed contribute to long term goals Tools References

Introduction Scientific research is the logical and rational framework through which we Understand the world around us and provides us with the factual information we need to make informed decisions But as most of us are not scientists we rely on scientific communication to make these facts available and comprehensible Traditionally scientific communication has focused on translating facts to a general audience in a more digestible and often more visual way More recently science communicators have started to adopt some of the techniques often seen in fields like marketing to connect more directly with peoples emotions and identities Traditional Model of Scientific Communication While this has certainly been beneficial in making scientific information more accessible to many it has failed to fully support the processes we use to make good informed decisions This one way sharing of information also does not allow for community members to participate in the discovery process leaving opportunities for learning and engagement on the table The recognized characteristics of good decision making are that they should be based on factual evidence they are value competent and that they are adaptable Dietz 2013 Values are an important part of the informed decision making process and yet they have been left out of traditional scientific communication Science cannot tell us what we should care about Dietz 2013 and therefore it up to the public to inform the scientific community about what information they need and why With this in mind I propose a new participatory model of scientific communication In this model the scientific community provides information in the form of facts to the broader community and the community provides values and context for this information back to the science community In this way both scientific expertise and community expertise contribute to the decision making process with the hope that it will help facilitate better decision making in the pursuit of achieving long term goals of the 21st century In this model the community uses the participatory process of public deliberation and discourse to determine what information is needed from the scientific community and what values will guide its creations and distribution In tandem the scientific community using the scientific process to generate the information that is given to the community For this process to work effectively it is important that those in the community closest to a problem are given a voice and are empowered with the tools for critically thought

This is where the role of the designer comes in Designers sit in the space between the scientific community and the broader community facilitating the movement of information increasing accessibility and ensuring that transparency is preserved and values are upheld The designer can provide these tools of critical analysis to the community to encourage continued and thoughtful participation in the process By serving in this role designers also take on another important responsibility sparking ongoing curiosity and interest in participating It can not be assumed that all or even most members of both the scientific and general community will be engaged in this participatory process at first glance But through the careful use of design tools and consistent implementation of the values listed here designers have the ability to engage people in this process and contribute in the creation of a better brighter future New Model of Participatory Scientific Communication Values of the Designer In this process the designer must also bring their own values to bare and ensure that they become woven into the work they create I have listed out some initial values below that should be used to frame the role of a designer embedded within this process Design to Spark joy and wonder in the natural world and human accomplishment Share information equitably and accessibly Provide the tools for critical analysis of information Build comfort and trust Preserve transparency in all processes Protect and preserve the planet and the population

Framing How to use this workbook This workbook is designed to assist in providing a contextual frame for design work in science communication that addresses real world problems and long term goals rather than simply informing Use these prompts to engage the science and broader community in a participatory discussion about facts and values and how by working together we can create a better future Key Who contributes this info Science Community Community Designer What tools will be used to collect this information ex surveys focus groups observation interviews 1 What is the Problem Define the problem Do a deep dive What is this problem a symptom of What systems have created or amplified this problem Who is most effected by this problem Who is least effected

2 What are the Long term Goals Think about what the ideal future would look like What goals can we set for addressing this problem 3 What Information is Needed Working backward what information is needed to achieve these long term goals 4 What Information is Already Known What information is already common knowledge To whom is this common knowledge

5 What are the Facts What information about the topic already exists in the scientific field 6 What are the Values What values are guiding how the information is created shared and received 7 How will what is designed contribute to the Long term Goals How will these designs create change move the needle

Tools Creating comfort while sparking curiosity and Critical thought Curiosity is a gift a capacity of pleasure in knowing Ruskin 1819 Before people can be curious they must feel comfortable and included and be equipped with the necessary critical thinking tools to participate Use these tools as general guidelines or reminders to help empower people to participate in this process Curiosity Comfort Checklist Vocabulary is used that is understandable by all participants or is clearly defined Each person possesses the basic knowledge to participate Each person has the technological knowledge and access to participate Objectives goals and values are clearly stated Participants have opportunities to engage in the scientific process Participants are appropriately challenged Participants are provided with critical thinking tools Critical Thinking Tools 1 2 3 4 5 6 Remember Understanding Apply Analysis Synthesis Evaluation Identify Define Label Describe Locate Restate Explain Summarize Interpret Translate Conclude Draw Illustrate Solve Demonstrate Compare Deduct Contrast Infer Diagram Design Change Predict Suggest Visualize Appraise Choose Evaluate Justify Rank Adapted from educatorstechonology com

Critical Thinking Questions What are the most important points What arguments are being made What assumptions are being made Who will be effected by this information What other possible explanations could there be Why is this information important How could this benefit society How could we get more information References Dietz Thomas 2013 Bringing Values and Deliberation to Science Communication Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 110 Supplement 3 14081 87 https doi org 10 1073 pnas 1212740110