Bridging the Gap Between Scientific Researchers and the University Community Through Student Journalism
Open Access
Author:
Zachariah, Philip
Area of Honors:
Journalism
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Juliet Pinto, Thesis Supervisor Juliet Pinto, Thesis Honors Advisor John R Affleck, Faculty Reader
Keywords:
Science Scientific Research Journalism Science Journalism Principal Investigators Student Media Outlets Science Communication Research Human-Interest Articles
Abstract:
Perhaps just as important as scientific research itself, the communication of that science to the public is essential to public engagement with the research and the scientific process. Without it, many might never know or understand the impact that the research has on them, understand the scientific process, or value its contributions to human society. Previous studies examined science communication, particularly through journalism. However, less is known about student media communication of science at research universities. This thesis explored this issue by speaking with student journalists, principal investigators and the student community at a research institution, and by using a content analysis of the student media outlets’ past science coverage. Some of the findings included that principal investigators say they prefer to use other institutional strategic channels for science communication instead of student media outlets; that student journalists should push their science coverage on social media to bring it more attention; and that the student audience prefers a human-interest angle—whether that be through narrative storytelling of the people behind the research or by clearly demonstrating the research’s impact on general people—to make science stories more interesting and engaging.
