Practices of Public Science and Technology Communication in Colombia and Spain. Study from the science centers Parque Explora (Medellín) and Cosmo Caixa (Barcelona).

Author: Mabel Ayure – Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. Spain

Co-author: Rosa Franquet – Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona Spain

This paper presents the results of the doctoral research “Public communication practices of science and technology developed in Colombia and Spain in science museums: Parque Explora (Medellín) and CosmoCaixa (Barcelona)”.

The objective of the research was to analyze the relationship between theory and practice in the PCST practices of these museums. For this, we selected PCST practices of access, interaction and participation developed in these museums during the years 2017 and 2018. The study was developed with a qualitative methodology through documentary review, observation and semi-structured interviews of the actors related to the practices in each museum.

The research questions that were asked were:
– How the practices that communicate science to the public in museums of science of Colombia and Spain are created and developed?
– What is the relationship between the science communication practices of museums and science centers with the traditional models of public communication of science and technology?

To analyze and compare the practices of science centers we define five categories:
– Structure
– Actors involved
– How it develops
– What is the starting point
– Where it is going

The results show two groups of relationships in the development of the practices. In the first group, we identify three relationships between the structure (Contents, Formats, Mediations), the actors (Specialists, Mediators, Public) and the sequence of creation (Scientific selection, Didactic exhibition design, Disclosure) of the practices. In the second group, where major differences can be seen, there is a relationship between the initial engagement modes (Inform / Advertise, Invite / Demonstrate, Consult / Connect) and the final objectives of each practice (Involve, Collaborate, Empower).

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Individual paper
Theme: Transformation