What's up?
Samer Angelone from the University of Zurich conducts film workshops for scientists not in seminar rooms but in the inspiring environment of film festivals – with impressive success.
Video recommendation
A series of 5-to-10-minute videos produced by a public broadcaster report on the problems that arise when complex scientific contexts are reduced to short statements as they are needed for films and TV.
Successful science communication: Antikythera researcher Tony Freeth published not only a fascinating scientific paper about the famous astronomical mechanism but also – at the same time – a 30-minutes documentary about his team's work.
Research paper What's up?
YouTube's recommendation algorithms have a bad reputation. Did they do a better job when serious information was most needed?
Research paper
After having watched impressive and awe-inspiring nature documentaries people turn out to be less dogmatic. This effect is beneficial for social cohesion.
Reading recommendation
The future of grant proposals is video, some scientists suggest. They expect more efficient review processes and better funding decisions.
Three German media scientists carried out an extensive study about audiovisual science communication on TV and YouTube.
An inspiring media library presents selected movies.
Nature correspondent Alison Abbott reviews a new documentary on the European Commission's flagship neuroscience programme, which has fallen far short of what it had promised.
Famous German YouTuber Mai-Thi ranks first in the charts with her 2020 video "Corona is just getting started".
Reading recommendation Video recommendation
Did Germany deal adequately with climate change? This case is heard, in the year 2034, before the International Court of Justice.
One of the winners of FastForwardScience is a YouTuber who became successful thanks to a TV production company.
idw's initiative aims at promoting the use of videos in science communication.
A new study provides evidence, once again, that films need to tell effective narratives. Then they are even able to overcome ideological gaps.
Video review
Looking for good video stuff from collaborative research centers? You'll be disappointed. But there are alternatives.
The CEO of a video hosting platform dedicated to scholarly information explains why "video" is not yet well established in academia – and proposes measures to change this.
A promising model in it's early stages: The international science publisher Springer Nature offers scientists to produce videos instead of writing academic books.
What if you could talk with the deceased, at least with a perfect digital copy of them? Before you watch the movie: Join a panel discussion about the impact of AI.
Upcoming event
Go to the movies (and beware of the coronavirus): This event in Zurich focusses on science short films on the topics environment, science and society.
A German student watched out for science channels in other countries – and she made many finds.
Two videos, sponsored by the coal industry, successfully spread false information about the effects of atmospheric carbon dioxide - for more than two decades already. YaleClimateConnections.org now told their story.
Science communicators are satisfied if their communication efforts raise the audiences' "willingness to pay" – in this case for the conservation of coral reefs. But you have to choose wisely how exactly you address your audiences, a study shows.
Truly translating their research to the medium dance (and only second to film) is what this year’s winners of the »Dance your Ph.D. contest« have in common – they are all expert science communicators. That’s also where similarities end.
Listening recommendation
In this half-an-hour episode of Nature’s »Working Scientist podcast« Pakinam Amer »explores how science communication translates to film, comedy clubs, and virtual space clubs.«
Although YouTube could be an educational heaven the platform's algorithm takes you to its darkest corners. Researchers are now trying to get a more general picture of YouTube's watching recommendations.
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