Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ParCos (Participatory Communication of Science)
Reporting period: 2021-04-01 to 2023-03-31
Additionally in the second reporting period the following outcomes have been realized: Case studies have accumulated sufficient scientific data and content and the ParCos storyteller is completed. Case studies have been completed, and the platform is ready to integrate all elements.
We first summarize some key exploitation activities from the second reporting period and then summarize our exploitation approach. The exploitable results and the exploitation plans are detailed further in D7.7 (final exploitation report) and D7.5 (Market report).
A selection of initial exploitable outcomes that were realized during the second reporting period are as follows. These are detailed in D7.7 along with individual exploitation strategies per result.
• Bristol Approach (KWMC)
• Data Explorer (LUT)
• ParCos Storyteller (VRT)
• ParCos Curator (LUT)
• Trainer Package (KUL)
• Art-Based Methods (LUT)
• ParCos Platform (LUT)
• Principles for Inclusion (KWMC)
During the project, we planned to develop six outputs that could be used for further exploitation. These outputs are practical tools that can help different stakeholders to increase participation in and support for science. Key to their exploitation is the ParCos platform, a website where users can explore these six outputs and see which one serves their needs. We aim, moreover, to exploit our Principles for Inclusion and our case studies as well. These various exploitable outputs meet different needs of a wide variety of target groups.
ParCos will deliver the ParCos Curator, Data Explorer and Storyteller to support the communication of science through different media forms designed to increase public engagement. This will be supported by the ParCos Trainer that offers support to using these tools to professionals and non-professionals alike, including school children. This will support good practice, such as evidence-based science outputs based on good quality curated data that the public can easily engage with becoming more mainstream over time. Particularly when these approaches are supported through science teaching at schools(using ParCos Trainer) thus engendering good practice in the next generation. The participatory nature of stories in turn facilitates more sharing and discussion of science, but following same principles of evidence-based discussion and linking curated data.
ParCos will further promote the uptake of RRI by directly examining barriers to inclusion in science and proposing ways to make science practice more equitable to excluded groups, and demonstrating this in practice through the Bristol Approach being taken in Case study 2 and to a smaller extent also Case studies 1 and 3. These approaches will collectively provide practical knowledge on how to engage communities and widen participation in science.
The ParCos Curator will provide methods for science journalists to produce evidence-based information for citizens which can be structure into participatory science stories through the ParCo storyteller. When communicated, these stories will structure and support dialogue around scientific content and support their further re-use, thus improving both the quality and effectiveness of interactions between scientists, general media and the public.