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Ornelas Van Horne Y, Diaz LM, Trowbridge J, Alcala CS, González DJ. Toward Language Justice in Environmental Health Sciences in the United States: A Case for Spanish as a Language of Science. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:85001. [PMID: 37610227 PMCID: PMC10445527 DOI: 10.1289/ehp12306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasingly, marginalized communities are disproportionately facing the worsening effects of environmental hazards, including air pollution, water pollution, and climate change. Language isolation and accessibility has been understudied as a determinant of health. Spanish, despite being the second-most common language in the United States with some 41.8 million speakers, has been neglected among environmental health scientists. Building capacity in high-quality Spanish-language science communication, both for scientific and nonscientific audiences, can yield improvements in health disparities research, public health literacy, international collaborations, and diversity and inclusion efforts. OBJECTIVES In this article, we discuss the context of language diversity in environmental health sciences and offer recommendations for improving science communication in Spanish. DISCUSSION English is currently the predominant language for scientific discourse, but Spanish and other non-English languages are routinely used by many environmental health science students and professionals, as well as much of the public. To more effectively conduct and communicate environmental health work in Spanish, we suggest that researchers and scientific institutions a) foster structural changes, b) train emerging scholars and support established researchers, c) tap into community ways of knowing, and d) leverage emerging technologies. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12306.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura M. Diaz
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Jessica Trowbridge
- Department of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Cecilia S. Alcala
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - David J.X. González
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
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Olmo R, Wetzels SU, Berg G, Cocolin L, Hartmann M, Hugas M, Kostic T, Rattei T, Ruthsatz M, Rybakova D, Sessitsch A, Shortt C, Timmis K, Selberherr E, Wagner M. Food systems microbiome-related educational needs. Microb Biotechnol 2023; 16:1412-1422. [PMID: 37338855 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Within the European-funded Coordination and Support Action MicrobiomeSupport (https://www.microbiomesupport.eu/), the Workshop 'Education in Food Systems Microbiome Related Sciences: Needs for Universities, Industry and Public Health Systems' brought together over 70 researchers, public health and industry partners from all over the world to work on elaborating microbiome-related educational needs in food systems. This publication provides a summary of discussions held during and after the workshop and the resulting recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Olmo
- FFoQSI GmbH - Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety and Innovation, Tulln, Austria
- Unit of Food Microbiology, Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefanie Urimare Wetzels
- FFoQSI GmbH - Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety and Innovation, Tulln, Austria
- Unit of Food Microbiology, Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gabriele Berg
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
- Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Potsdam, Germany
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Luca Cocolin
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Moritz Hartmann
- Unit of Food Microbiology, Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marta Hugas
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), EU, Parma, Italy
| | - Tanja Kostic
- Bioresouces Unit, Center for Health & Bioresources, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Tulln, Austria
| | - Thomas Rattei
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Daria Rybakova
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | - Angela Sessitsch
- Bioresouces Unit, Center for Health & Bioresources, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Tulln, Austria
| | | | - Kenneth Timmis
- Institute of Microbiology, Technical University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Evelyne Selberherr
- FFoQSI GmbH - Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety and Innovation, Tulln, Austria
- Unit of Food Microbiology, Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Wagner
- FFoQSI GmbH - Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety and Innovation, Tulln, Austria
- Unit of Food Microbiology, Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
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Conde-Caballero D, Castillo-Sarmiento CA, Ballesteros-Yánez I, Rivero-Jiménez B, Mariano-Juárez L. Microlearning through TikTok in Higher Education. An evaluation of uses and potentials. EDUCATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES 2023:1-21. [PMID: 37361804 PMCID: PMC10235824 DOI: 10.1007/s10639-023-11904-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
While social media is evolving rapidly, understanding its underlying and persistent features with the potential to support high-quality learning would provide opportunities to enhance competence acquisition and collaborative work in higher education. Moreover, the adoption of tools that students already use in their everyday lives facilitates the integration of new forms of learning. In this context, we have developed an initiative to disseminate content through TikTok in three modules of the Bachelor's Degree in Nursing course, with the aim of promoting quality learning through these microlearning environments. To this end, we have implemented these learning environments and evaluated the users' perceptions, as well as their level of acceptance of the technology according to the Technology Acceptance Model. Overall, our results show high levels of satisfaction with regard to engagement and the content generated, as well as in terms of the acceptance of the technology. Our results do not show gender-specific variations, but we did detect slight variations depending on the subject in which the microlearning tool was deployed. Although for the most part these variations do not change the participants' assessment of their experience, it will be necessary in the future to determine the underlying reasons for these variations. In addition, our results suggest that it is possible to design a content creation system to promote quality learning through microlearning that can be transferred to other subjects, at least in the Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10639-023-11904-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Conde-Caballero
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Occupational Therapy, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Carlos A. Castillo-Sarmiento
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, School of Physiotherapy and Nursing, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45071 Toledo, Spain
- Regional Center for Biomedical Research, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 02008 Albacete, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Ballesteros-Yánez
- Regional Center for Biomedical Research, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 02008 Albacete, Spain
- Department of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Borja Rivero-Jiménez
- Department of Business Management and Sociology, Teacher Training College, University of Extremadura, 10.003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Lorenzo Mariano-Juárez
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Occupational Therapy, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
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Duncan NW, Shean R. Analysing the effectiveness of Twitter as an equitable community communication tool for international conferences. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15270. [PMID: 37180583 PMCID: PMC10174057 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Scientific conferences increasingly include online aspects. Some are moving to be entirely virtual whilst others are adopting hybrid models in which there are both in-person and virtual elements. This development of opportunities for people to attend conferences virtually has the potential to both reduce their environmental impact and to make access to them more equitable. An issue with virtual conference participation that has been raised, however, is that there is a reduction in informal communication between attendees. This is an important deficit as informal contacts play a significant role in both knowledge transmission and professional network development. One forum where some informal communication around conferences does occur is Twitter, with participation there being encouraged by some conferences. It is not clear, however, how effective Twitter is as a community communication tool in terms of equitable participation amongst conference attendees. To investigate this, we looked at Twitter usage surrounding four international conferences between 2010 and 2021. It was found that engagement with conference hashtags increased steadily over time, peaking in 2019. Users represented 9% of conference attendees and were primarily located in Europe and North America, communicating primarily in English (97% of tweets). Hub nodes within the interaction network were also primarily located in these regions. East Asia had fewer users than would be expected based on neuroscience publication numbers from that region. What users there were in East Asia were engaged with less than were users in other regions. It was found that the overall interaction network showed a rich-club structure, where users with more connections tend to interact more with others with similar connection numbers. Finally, it was found that users in Europe and North America tend to communicate with other users in their own regions whereas users in the rest of the world direct their interactions out of their region. These results suggest that although conference-related Twitter use has been successful to some degree in opening up access, there are some notable limitations in its usage that may mirror aspects of inequality inherent to in-person conferences. How to build equitable informal communication networks around virtual conferences remains a challenging question that requires further discussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niall W. Duncan
- Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Brain and Consciousness Research Centre, TMU-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Russell Shean
- Center for Data Science, Washington State Department of Health, Tumwater, Washington, United States of America
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Teodorowski P, Rodgers SE, Fleming K, Frith L. Use of the Hashtag #DataSavesLives on Twitter: Exploratory and Thematic Analysis. J Med Internet Res 2022; 24:e38232. [DOI: 10.2196/38232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
“Data Saves Lives” is a public engagement campaign that highlights the benefits of big data research and aims to establish public trust for this emerging research area.
Objective
This study explores how the hashtag #DataSavesLives is used on Twitter. We focused on the period when the UK government and its agencies adopted #DataSavesLives in an attempt to support their plans to set up a new database holding National Health Service (NHS) users’ medical data.
Methods
Public tweets published between April 19 and July 15, 2021, using the hashtag #DataSavesLives were saved using NCapture for NVivo 12. All tweets were coded twice. First, each tweet was assigned a positive, neutral, or negative attitude toward the campaign. Second, inductive thematic analysis was conducted. The results of the thematic analysis were mapped under 3 models of public engagement: deficit, dialogue, and participatory.
Results
Of 1026 unique tweets available for qualitative analysis, discussion around #DataSavesLives was largely positive (n=716, 69.8%) or neutral (n=276, 26.9%) toward the campaign with limited negative attitudes (n=34, 3.3%). Themes derived from the #DataSavesLives debate included ethical sharing, proactively engaging the public, coproducing knowledge with the public, harnessing potential, and gaining an understanding of big data research. The Twitter discourse was largely positive toward the campaign. The hashtag is predominantly used by similar-minded Twitter users to share information about big data projects and to spread positive messages about big data research when there are public controversies. The hashtag is generally used by organizations and people supportive of big data research. Tweet authors recognize that the public should be proactively engaged and involved in big data projects. The campaign remains UK centric. The results indicate that the communication around big data research is driven by the professional community and remains 1-way as members of the public rarely use the hashtag.
Conclusions
The results demonstrate the potential of social media but draws attention to hashtag usage being generally confined to “Twitter bubbles”: groups of similar-minded Twitter users.
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How to use Twitter at a Scientific Conference. mSphere 2022; 7:e0012122. [PMID: 35531658 PMCID: PMC9241539 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00121-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past decade, social media platforms have been recognized as an important tool in the dissemination of science among the research community and as an interface between scientists and the general public. Publishing companies that specialize in scientific research now pay attention to alternative metrics (“altmetrics”) and provide comprehensive guides about social media management to editors. Twitter has emerged as a leader among social media platforms in the dissemination of science. This Perspective will assert the merits of using Twitter to expand the reach of scientific conferences while providing guidance on how to disseminate conference findings in real-time, called “live-tweeting,” without compromising scientific integrity.
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Reyna NS, Pruett C, Morrison M, Fowler J, Pandey S, Hensley L. Twitter: More than Tweets for Undergraduate Student Researchers. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOLOGY EDUCATION 2022; 23:e00326-21. [PMID: 35496674 PMCID: PMC9053037 DOI: 10.1128/jmbe.00326-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, biology educators were forced to think of ways to communicate with their students, engaging them in science and with the scientific community. For educators using course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs), the challenge to have students perform real science, analyze their work, and present their results to a larger scientific audience was difficult as the world moved online. Many instructors were able to adapt CUREs utilizing online data analysis and virtual meeting software for class discussions and synchronous learning. However, interaction with the larger scientific community, an integral component of making science relevant for students and allowing them to network with other young scientists and experts in their fields, was still missing. Even before COVID-19, a subset of students would travel to regional or national meetings to present their work, but most did not have these opportunities. With over 300 million active users, Twitter provided a unique platform for students to present their work to a large and varied audience. The Cell Biology Education Consortium hosted an innovative scientific poster session entirely on Twitter to engage undergraduate researchers with one another and with the much broader community. The format for posting on this popular social media platform challenged students to simplify their science and make their points using only a few words and slides. Nineteen institutions and over one hundred students participated in this event. Even though these practices emerged as a necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Twitter presentation strategy shared in this paper can be used widely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan S. Reyna
- Department of Biology, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas, USA
| | - Christin Pruett
- Department of Biology, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas, USA
| | - Mike Morrison
- Department of Work Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Jennifer Fowler
- Arkansas National Science Foundation Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Sumali Pandey
- Department of Biosciences, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Moorhead, Minnesota, USA
| | - Lori Hensley
- Department of Biology, Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Alabama, USA
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Özkent Y. Social media usage to share information in communication journals: An analysis of social media activity and article citations. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263725. [PMID: 35139134 PMCID: PMC8827420 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Social media has surrounded every area of life, and social media platforms have become indispensable for today’s communication. Many journals use social media actively to promote and disseminate new articles. Its use to share the articles contributes many benefits, such as reaching more people and spreading information faster. However, there is no consensus in the studies that to evaluate between tweeted and non-tweeted papers regarding their citation numbers. Therefore, it was aimed to show the effect of social media on the citations of articles in the top ten communication-based journals. For this purpose, this work evaluated original articles published in the top 10 communication journals in 2018. The top 10 communication-based journals were chosen based on SCImago Journal & Country Rank (cited in 2019). Afterward, it was recorded the traditional citation numbers (Google Scholar and Thompson-Reuters Web of Science) and social media exposure of the articles in January 2021 (nearly three years after the articles’ publication date). It was assumed that this period would allow the impact of the published articles (the citations and Twitter mentions) to be fully observed. Based on this assessment, a positive correlation between exposure to social media and article citations was observed in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasemin Özkent
- Department of Radio Television and Cinema, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
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A Framework for Effective Science Communication and Outreach Strategies and Dissemination of Research Findings for Marine Energy Projects. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse10020130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Marine energy is an emerging renewable energy industry with the potential to produce 2300 terawatt-hours per year from resources within the United States. As development and testing of marine energy devices advance, regulatory and permitting decision-makers are concerned about the uncertainty surrounding the potential environmental effects resulting from the introduction of these novel devices in coastal and riverine environments. The Triton Initiative researches and provides recommendations for environmental monitoring technologies and methods to inform industry stakeholders with the data necessary to permit the testing of marine energy systems. Effective dissemination of the research findings is essential for improving the accessibility of data to stakeholders who may use the results to inform policy decisions, yet few frameworks for conducting science communications for marine energy projects exist. In this paper, we present tools, channels, and tactics for developing a science communication framework for marine energy projects, or similar areas of study, using the Triton Initiative’s pilot science communication program as a case study. By leveraging existing bodies of work in disciplines such as communications theory, marketing, public relations, and social science, the presented framework includes audience identification and analysis; channel development, including a website, blog, newsletter, social media, and webinars and presentations; and metrics for determining success. Outcomes from one year of Triton’s case study are presented, including the most effective tactics and lessons learned.
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Ruzi SA, Lee NM, Smith AA. Testing how different narrative perspectives achieve communication objectives and goals in online natural science videos. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257866. [PMID: 34644325 PMCID: PMC8513868 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Communication of science through online media has become a primary means of disseminating and connecting science with a public audience. However, online media can come in many forms and stories of scientific discovery can be told by many individuals. We tested whether the relationship of a spokesperson to the science story being told (i.e., the narrative perspective) influences how people react and respond to online science media. We created five video stimuli that fell into three treatments: a scientist presenting their own research (male or female), a third-party summarizing research (male or female), and an infographic-like video with no on-screen presenter. Each of these videos presented the same fabricated science story about the discovery of a new ant species (Formicidae). We used Qualtrics to administer and obtain survey responses from 515 participants (~100 per video). Participants were randomly assigned to one of the videos and after viewing the stimulus answered questions assessing their perceptions of the video (trustworthiness and enjoyment), the spokesperson (trustworthiness and competence), scientists in general (competence and warmth), and attitudes towards the research topic and funding. Participants were also asked to recall what they had seen and heard. We determined that when participants watched a video in which a scientist presented their own research, participants perceived the spokesperson as having more expertise than a third-party presenter, and as more trustworthy and having more expertise than the no-spokesperson stimuli. Viewing a scientist presenting their own work also humanized the research, with participants more often including a person in their answer to the recall question. Overall, manipulating the narrative perspective of the source of a single online video communication effort is effective at impacting immediate objective outcomes related to spokesperson perceptions, but whether those objectives can positively influence long-term goals requires more investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selina A. Ruzi
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SAR); (AAS)
| | - Nicole M. Lee
- School of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Arizona State University—West Campus, Glendale, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Adrian A. Smith
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Research & Collections, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SAR); (AAS)
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11
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Fahnert B. Absence makes the mind grow stronger - Educating in a pandemic and beyond. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2021; 368:6373443. [PMID: 34549278 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnab129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
With more than one academic year into the pandemic, it is timely to consider the lessons we learnt, and how they could shape education in the future. Papers from around the globe, reflecting on the directions we took and could take, were published in the FEMS Microbiology Letters virtual Thematic Issue 'Educating in a pandemic and beyond' in October 2021. Its content is reviewed here to facilitate discussions within the professional community. Online platforms and tools, that allowed a rapid emergency response, are covered, as well as enhancing student engagement, complementing and blending in-person activities with online elements for more flexible and accessible learning opportunities, the need for educator training, and improving science literacy overall and microbiology literacy specifically. As we go forward, in order to benefit from blended and flexible learning, we need to select our approaches based on evidence, and mindful of the potential impact on learners and educators. Education did not only continue during the pandemic, but it evolved, leading us into the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrix Fahnert
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Green Lane, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
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12
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Bozzola E, Staiano AM, Spina G, Zamperini N, Marino F, Roversi M, Corsello G. Social media use to improve communication on children and adolescent's health: the role of the Italian Paediatric Society influencers. Ital J Pediatr 2021; 47:171. [PMID: 34380533 PMCID: PMC8355871 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-021-01111-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fake news on children’s and adolescent health are spreading. Internet availability and decreasing costs of media devices are contributing to an easy access to technology by families. Public health organizations are working to contrast misinformation and promote scientific communication. In this context, a new form of communication is emerging social media influencers. Aim of this study is to evaluate the role of paediatric influencers (PI) in communicating information about children and adolescents’ health. Materials and methods A group of PI was enrolled from December 2019 to January 2020 by a scientific commission nominated by the Italian Paediatric Society (SIP). PI were asked to share Facebook messages from the official page of the SIP to their own network. Social media tools have been evaluated across 12 months, from July 28, 2019, to July 11, 2020. For the purposes of clarity, we schematically divided the study period as follows: the period of PIs activity (January 6, 2020, to July 11, 2020) and the period when PIs were not yet active (July 28, 2019, to January 4, 2020). Information on Facebook page (lifetime total likes, daily new likes, daily page engaged, daily total reach) and on published post (lifetime post total reach, lifetime post organic reach, lifetime engaged users) were evaluated. Results A significant increase in Facebook daily new likes, page engagement and total reach, as well as in lifetime post total and organic reach was evidenced. As for PI, they reported a positive experience in most cases. Discussion In the digital era, communication strategies are becoming more important, so that the scientific community has to be actively involved in social media communication. Our pilot study demonstrated that the recruitment of paediatric influencers has increased communication and interaction of the SIP Facebook page. Conclusion Our study shows the potential role of influencers: spreading health messages via PI seems to be a successful strategy to promote correct communication about children’s and adolescents’ health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Bozzola
- The Italian Paediatric Society, via Gioberti 60, Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Giulia Spina
- The Italian Paediatric Society, via Gioberti 60, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Marco Roversi
- The Italian Paediatric Society, via Gioberti 60, Rome, Italy
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Sánchez-Angulo M, López-Goñi I, Cid VJ. Teaching microbiology in times of plague. Int Microbiol 2021; 24:665-670. [PMID: 33942184 PMCID: PMC8092966 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-021-00179-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed several challenges and strains at all levels of the educational system, especially as a consequence of lockdown and social distance measures. After a period of exclusive use of the online educational environment, educators have adapted to the new circumstances and, by a combination of different strategies, have fought to overcome the limitations and deficiencies of virtual learning. Student motivation, productivity, and creativity continue to be the main pedagogical issues that have to be reached with the new didactic tools developed during the pandemic. At the same time, this pandemic has shown the importance of the inclusion of microbiology as a core element of the educational curriculum and the opportunity to raise public awareness of the importance of microbes to everyday life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Sánchez-Angulo
- Departamento de Producción Vegetal y Microbiología, Edificio Torrepinet, Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03202, Elche, Spain.
| | - Ignacio López-Goñi
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Universidad de Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Víctor J Cid
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, & Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigaciones Sanitarias (IRyCIS), Pza. Ramón y Cajal s/n 28040, Madrid, Spain
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Duckett CJ, Hargreaves KE, Rawson KM, Allen KE, Forbes S, Rawlinson KE, Shaw H, Lacey M. Nights at the museum: integrated arts and microbiology public engagement events enhance understanding of science whilst increasing community diversity and inclusion. Access Microbiol 2021; 3:000231. [PMID: 34151182 PMCID: PMC8209632 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This study uses integrated art and science events to explore a blended approach in improving public understanding of current scientific topics and widening participation within the local community. The events were a Halloween-inspired microbiology-themed series of interactive exhibitions hosted within a national museum as part of an existing series of adult education evenings. A representative sample of 102 mixed methods exit questionnaires, based on determining (i) audience diversity and (ii) understanding of scientific topics, were analysed by qualitative and quantitative approaches, and a post-attendance focus group was carried out to determine longer term impact of the event. Participants were grouped as 'Science', 'Arts', 'Both' or 'Neither', according to their past experience and engagement. These events welcomed more participants from the Arts and Neither subsections hence engaging a group of people who would not usually visit science public engagement events or comparative events hosted in traditional academic settings, highlighting the importance of venue choice in reaching new audiences and widening participation. An increase in perceived understanding of science was observed by all groups of participants with reported enjoyment focused around the science talks, presentations and blended art-science activities. A putative impact in science capital is observed with participants reporting an increased likelihood of attending science events in the future. Furthermore, increased discussion and awareness of science in society is evidenced by participants. Blended art and microbiology exhibitions enhance the accessibly of science public engagement events and is likely to increase science capital; the impact of this on cognitive polyphasia is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine J Duckett
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Department of Biosciences and Chemistry, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Kirstie M Rawson
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Department of Biosciences and Chemistry, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | - K Elizabeth Allen
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Department of Biosciences and Chemistry, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | - Sarah Forbes
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Department of Biosciences and Chemistry, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | - Katherine E Rawlinson
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Department of Biosciences and Chemistry, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | - Hollie Shaw
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Department of Biosciences and Chemistry, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | - Melissa Lacey
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Department of Biosciences and Chemistry, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
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15
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Moronta-Barrios F, Vargas-Domínguez S, Nuesch-Germano M, Torres V, Selvaggi K, Di Prinzio C, O'Brien E, Hernandez V, Monteiro M. Latin American Network for Scientific Culture (RedLCC): A Regional Science Communication Initiative. Front Res Metr Anal 2021; 6:654022. [PMID: 33870070 PMCID: PMC8028381 DOI: 10.3389/frma.2021.654022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Vicente Torres
- Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Katherina Selvaggi
- University School of Medical Technology, University of the Republic, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | | | - Victor Hernandez
- Faculty of Sciences, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Martin Monteiro
- School of Engineering, Universidad ORT Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay
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16
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Della Giusta M, Jaworska S, Vukadinović Greetham D. Expert communication on Twitter: Comparing economists' and scientists' social networks, topics and communicative styles. PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE (BRISTOL, ENGLAND) 2021; 30:75-90. [PMID: 32933450 PMCID: PMC7802044 DOI: 10.1177/0963662520957252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Experts increasingly use social media to communicate with the wider public, prompted by the need to demonstrate impact and public engagement. While previous research on the use of social media by experts focused on single topics and performed sentiment analysis, we propose to extend the scope by investigating experts' networks, topics and communicative styles. We perform social and semantic network as well language analysis of top tweeting scientists and economists. We find that economists tweet less, mention fewer people and have fewer Twitter conversations with members of the public than scientists. Scientists use a more informal and involved style and engage wider audiences through multimedia contents, while economists use more jargon, and tend to favour traditional written media. The results point to differences in experts' communicative practices online, and we propose that disciplinary ways of 'talking' may pose obstacles to an effective public communication of expert knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sylvia Jaworska
- Sylvia Jaworska, University of Reading, Whiteknights Campus, Reading RG6 6UR, UK.
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17
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Martin C, MacDonald BH. Using interpersonal communication strategies to encourage science conversations on social media. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241972. [PMID: 33170855 PMCID: PMC7654796 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Today, many science communicators are using social media to share scientific information with citizens, but, as research has shown, fostering conversational exchanges remains a challenge. This largely qualitative study investigated the communication strategies applied by individual scientists and environmental non-governmental organizations on Twitter and Instagram to determine whether particular social media practices encourage two-way conversations between science communicators and citizens. Data from Twitter and Instagram posts, interviews with the communicators, and a survey of audience members were triangulated to identify emergent communication strategies and the resulting engagement; provide insight into why particular practices are employed by communicators; and explain why audiences choose to participate in social media conversations with communicators. The results demonstrate that the application of interpersonal communication strategies encourage conversational engagement, in terms of the number of comments and unique individuals involved in conversations. In particular, using selfies (images and videos), non-scientific content, first person pronoun-rich captions, and responding to comments result in the formation of communicator-audience relationships, encouraging two-way conversations on social media. Furthermore, the results indicate that Instagram more readily supports the implementation of interpersonal communication strategies than Twitter, making Instagram the preferred platform for promoting conversational exchanges. These findings can be applicable to diverse communicators, subjects, audiences, and environments (online and offline) in initiatives to promote awareness and understanding of science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Curtis Martin
- Ocean Frontier Institute, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Bertrum H. MacDonald
- School of Information Management, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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18
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Taschner NP, de Almeida LG, Pose RA, Ferreira RCC. Adopt a Bacterium: a professional development opportunity for teacher assistants. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2020; 367:5881304. [PMID: 32756965 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnaa131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Science teaching in most Brazilian Universities tends to focus mainly on lectures and provides few opportunities for the development of modern teaching skills. Our group developed an online tool called Adopt a Bacterium, which consists on a Facebook group where teacher assistants (TAs) can interact with students and have a first contact with student-focused learning approaches. This work shows the TAs' own assessment of how the tool could be further explored to help them develop skills and become better teachers.
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Affiliation(s)
- N P Taschner
- Institute of Biomedical Science, Department of Microbiology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L G de Almeida
- Institute of Biomedical Science, Department of Microbiology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - R A Pose
- Escola de Saúde e de Negócios, Universidade Municipal de São Caetano do Sul, São Caetano do Sul, Brazil
| | - R C C Ferreira
- Institute of Biomedical Science, Department of Microbiology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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19
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Fahnert B. Be prepared - Learning for the future. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2020; 366:5573271. [PMID: 31550367 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnz200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Forward-looking papers from around the globe, addressing themes of current educational practice, were published in the FEMS Microbiology Letters virtual Thematic Issue 'Learning for the future' in October 2019. Its dynamic content is reviewed here to facilitate discussions within the professional community. The focus is on preparing generations of 21st century professionals as lifelong learners for yet unknown working environments and demands. Active and authentic learning is covered in various contexts from interactive lectures, via innovative tasks exploring the scientific method to conducting research over a distance. Naturally, authentic assessment features. Moreover, authentic learning is taken out of the classroom into the community as service learning for students to develop skills and see unexpected Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths career opportunities. Approaches to public engagement with science are presented including through art. Art is also brought into the classroom, as well as educational games, to foster creativity. Additionally, sharing science with large audiences on social media is discussed. Future-proofing education requires being innovative and imaginative. This comes with challenges and risks, but being prepared is worth it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrix Fahnert
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Green Lane, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
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20
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Romano S, Ansorge R. Scientific communication strategies of microbiologists in the era of social media. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2019; 365:5174969. [PMID: 30423115 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fny264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last decades, the world of communication underwent drastic changes, and internet and social media emerged as essential vehicles for exchanging information. Following these trends, it is important that scientists adapt to changes and adopt optimal strategies to communicate with colleagues, lay people and institutions. We conducted an online survey to investigate the communication strategies of microbiologists and their colleagues from other disciplines. We collected data from 527 scholars from 57 countries, with ∼42% of them being microbiologists. We focused particularly on social media and found that >80% of participants used them for work, and that ∼50% of interviewed actively shared and gathered scientific contents from social media. Compared to colleagues from other fields, microbiologists were less averse to use social media for work and were also less accustomed to use pre-prints as a source and vehicle of information. However, a large proportion of microbiologists declared to have planned pre-print publications in the future. Surprisingly, our data revealed that age is a poor predictor of social media usage, but it is strongly associated with the type of social media used, the activity undertaken on them and the attitude towards pre-print publications. Considering the kaleidoscopic variety of scientific communication tools, our data might help to optimize the scientific promotion strategies among microbiologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Romano
- Division of Microbial Ecology, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Rebecca Ansorge
- Division of Microbial Ecology, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria.,Symbiosis Department, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstrasse 1, Bremen 28359, Germany
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21
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López-Goñi I, Giner-Lamia J, Álvarez-Ordoñez A, Benitez-Páez A, Claessen D, Cortesao M, de Toro M, García-Ruano D, Granato ET, Kovács ÁT, Romalde JL, Sana TG, Sánchez-Angulo M, Sangari FJ, Smits WK, Sturm T, Thomassin JL, Valdehuesa KNG, Zapotoczna M. #EUROmicroMOOC: using Twitter to share trends in Microbiology worldwide. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2019; 366:5521206. [DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnz141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Twitter is one of the most popular social media networks that, in recent years, has been increasingly used by researchers as a platform to share science and discuss ongoing work. Despite its popularity, Twitter is not commonly used as a medium to teach science. Here, we summarize the results of #EUROmicroMOOC: the first worldwide Microbiology Massive Open Online Course taught in English using Twitter. Content analytics indicated that more than 3 million users saw posts with the hashtag #EUROmicroMOOC, which resulted in over 42 million Twitter impressions worldwide. These analyses demonstrate that free Microbiology MOOCs shared on Twitter are valuable educational tools that reach broad audiences throughout the world. We also describe our experience teaching an entire Microbiology course using Twitter and provide recommendations when using social media to communicate science to a broad audience.
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Affiliation(s)
- I López-Goñi
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Universidad de Navarra, E-31080 Pamplona, Spain
| | - J Giner-Lamia
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP, UPM-INIA), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Campus Montegancedo-UPM, E-28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid,Spain
- Departamento de Biotecnología-Biología Vegetal, ETSIAAB, UPM, Ciudad Universitaria, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - A Álvarez-Ordoñez
- Departamento de Higiene y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Universidad de León, E-24071 León, Spain
| | - Alfonso Benitez-Páez
- Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology IATA-CSIC. C/Catedràtic Agustín Escardino Benlloch, 7, E-46980 Paterna-Valencia, Spain
| | - D Claessen
- Intitute of Biology, Leiden University, NL-2333 Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - M Cortesao
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), D-51147 Cologne, Germany
| | - M de Toro
- Fundacion Rioja Salud, E-26006 Logroño, Spain
| | - D García-Ruano
- Institute of Functional Biology and Genomics, USAL–CSIC, University of Salamanca, E-37002 Salamanca, Spain
| | - E T Granato
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, OX1 3SZ Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Á T Kovács
- DTU Bioengineering, Bacterial Interactions and Evolution group,1 Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - J L Romalde
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, CIBUS-Facultad de Biología, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, E-15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - T G Sana
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - M Sánchez-Angulo
- Departamento de Producción Vegetal y Microbiología, University of Miguel Hernández, E-03202 Elche, Spain
| | - F J Sangari
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC) CSIC-University of Cantabria and Department of Molecular Biology, University of Cantabria, E-39011 Santander, Spain
| | - W K Smits
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, NL-2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - T Sturm
- Cabrillo College, Aptos, CA 95003, USA
| | - J L Thomassin
- Biochemistry of Macromolecular Interactions Unit, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Institut Pasteur, 28 rue du Dr. Roux, Paris F-75724 France
| | - K N G Valdehuesa
- Department of Energy Science and Technology, Myongji University, 03674 South Korea
| | - M Zapotoczna
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland
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