From onboard to the public: Science communication and media strategies from the R/V BİLİM-2 in addressing marine research on multi-stressors

Date

2024-11-26

Author

Şahin, Ezgi
Yücel, Mustafa
Uygurer, Zehra Pınar
Salihoğlu, Barış

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From onboard to the public: Science communication and media strategies from the R/V BİLİM-2 in addressing marine research on multi-stressors Özgün Evrim Sayılkan1 , Mustafa Yücel1 , Ezgi Şahin1 , Pınar Uygurer1 , Barış Salihoğlu1 1METU Institute of Marine Sciences, Turkey corresponding author: ozguns@metu.edu.tr Summary Effective science communication emerges as crucial in fostering public understanding and engagement, both in environmental crises and routine research endeavors. This presentation sheds light on the experiences gained in communicating complex scientific research conducted aboard the Bilim-2 research vessel as part of the BRIDGE-BS project, alongside the media strategies of the METU Institute of Marine Sciences during the mucilage crisis in the Sea of Marmara. Funded by the European Union's H2020 programme, BRIDGE-BS aims to advance knowledge, conduct research, and empower citizens for a sustainable and climate-neutral Black Sea. Acknowledging the vital role of dynamic and accessible science communication, we embarked on a series of scientific vlogs documenting our marine research aboard the Bilim-2. These vlogs serve not only to convey scientific insights but also to evoke curiosity and deepen understanding of the multi-stressors facing the Black Sea. Beyond the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara experienced a mucilage crisis in 2021, posing substantial threats to marine life, coastal communities, and local economies. The METU Institute of Marine Sciences played a pivotal role in researching and addressing this crisis. Through strategic media engagements, including live broadcasts from the research vessel and consistent updates across digital and traditional media platforms, crucial research findings and real-time updates on the mucilage crisis are effectively communicated with the public. Whether in routine research or crisis situations, our approach aimed not only to disseminate key findings but also to contextualize the urgency of the situation, rendering the science accessible and compelling to a broader audience. We opted to engage the public directly from the research vessel through scientific vlog series and mass media for three primary reasons: - Accessibility and Engagement: Vlogs offer a visually engaging narrative format that appeals to a broad audience, while live broadcasts from the research vessel allow viewers to experience the research process firsthand, fostering a deeper connection and understanding. - Real-Time Communication: The immediacy of vlogs and daily media convergences facilitates the sharing of ongoing research and discoveries almost in real-time, maintaining public interest and momentum. - Personal Connection: Featuring researchers where they do the research creates a personal connection, humanizing science and making it more relatable to the public. These experiences have underscored the critical balance between technical details and accessible language, essential for preserving both scientific accuracy and public engagement. Furthermore, the continuous provision of updates and strategically curated content is vital to sustaining audience interest. Above all, maintaining transparency in science and crisis communication is key to building trust in society, thereby enhancing the authenticity and credibility of the scientific narrative. By integrating these lessons, future science communication endeavors will persist in embracing engaging approaches while leveraging various mediums and media platforms to effectively address marine research, and multiple stress factors and develop permanent public participation.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/118232

Collections

Graduate School of Marine Sciences, Conference / Seminar