Digital Science Communication Training: Approaching Methods, Frameworks, and Outcomes

Abstract

Communicating science to the general public using the Internet and social media has become a key social priority on the professional development agenda of EU scientists. Here, we report on the complementarity of different research methodologies and frameworks used in the Erasmus+ DILAN project to address this priority. First, we applied ethnomethodology and AI tools to track EU STEM researchers’ scientific productivity, the impact of their online science communication practices and their digital language and communication training needs. We also applied design thinking, the research methodology used to co-create an e-learning platform to address the scientists’ training needs and all other users’ needs (e.g., course facilitators). Finally, we summarise how we took the frameworks of genre theory and English for Academic Purposes, among others, as the theoretical basis to design two types of online training courses, a 4-week course and a massive open online course (MOOC).