Between practice and research: reflections of science communicators in the RETHINK SciComm project in Portugal

Abstract

From disinformation to social media bubbles, from new media to the decline in attention span, from cultural diversity to accessibility, from ethical issues to public trust, the work of those who aim to make science part of public discourse is complex. Despite extensive reflection by the scientific community, the recognised disconnect between science communication practice and research limits its effectiveness. Grounded in the principle that professionals in any domain possess knowledge that warrants dissemination, the RETHINK SciComm project approached science communication through the lens of its practitioners, encouraging European science communicators to reflect on their work and providing new insights to those engaged in conceptualising science communication. This article presents the experience of the RETHINK project in Portugal and reports on the results derived from the conducted workshops, offering them as basis for advancing the practice and study of science communication in the country.