Science Communication Unit

The purpose of this study was to analyze the spread of astronomy contents throughout the Spanish pre-university educative system as stated in the curricula established by law. Possible contents of Astronomy were first classified in groups and then looked after in the official curricula of the different subjects throughout the Spanish pre-university system. Results show that Astronomy contents are present through all compulsory education in the subjects Knowledge of the Natural, Social and Cultural Environment and Natural Sciences. In the last years of compulsory education some of astronomy contents are beginning to be present in non compulsory subjects which range from humanities to science subjects. Teachers which belong to humanities or science departments are graduated in very different subjects, and thus most of them lack a scientific background in Astronomy contents. Astronomy contents are not seen only as science contents, but they are given a multidisciplinary character in th...

Open science is a practice in which the scientific process is shared completely and in real time. It offers the potential to support information flow, collaboration and dialogue among professional and non-professional participants. Using semi-structured interviews and case studies, this research investigated the relationship between open science and public engagement. This paper concentrates on three particular areas of concern that emerged: first, how to effectively contextualise and narrate information to render it accessible, as opposed to simply available; second, concerns about data quantity and quality; third, concerns about the skills required for effective contextualisation, mapping and interpretation of information.

Notwithstanding that 'public engagement' is conceptualised differently internationally and in different academic disciplines, higher education institutions largely accept the importance of public engagement with research. However, there is limited evidence on how researchers conceptualise engagement, their views on what constitutes engagement and the communities they would (or would not) like to engage with. This paper presents the results of a survey of researchers in the Open University that sought to gather data to fill these gaps. This research was part of an action research project designed to embed engagement in the routine practices of researchers at all levels. The findings indicate that researchers have a relatively narrow view of public engagement with research and the communities with which they interact. It also identified that very few strategically evaluate their public engagement activities. We conclude by discussing some of the interventions we have introduce...