Fresh off the press in Science Communication! 📰🔬 When viewers watch scientists on screen, what actually drives their connection, trust, and alignment?
Our new study examines closed and open-ended survey responses from a nationally representative US survey of our feature documentary OBSERVER to uncover how audiences construct relationships with scientists in film.
We are thrilled to share our new open-access paper: “Forming Relationships With Scientists Through Film: A Qualitative Study of Viewers’ Trust, Identification, and Value Alignment” By Dr. Nicole Krause, Dr. Emily Howell, and SCL Executive Director Dr. Sarah Goodwin.
Key Empirical Takeaways:
* Beyond Credentials: Viewers overwhelmingly evaluate scientists through relational and affective qualities—citing curiosity, attentiveness, and open communication styles far more often than formal titles or social identities.
* Three Distinct Dimensions: The study demonstrates that trust, personal identification, and perceived value alignment represent distinct pathways of audience connection, rather than a single monolith.
* Evolving SciComm Models: Narrative media that highlights the human experience of inquiry offers a powerful mechanism for building public affinity and engagement.
This paper reflects a sustained research–practice partnership dedicated to grounding science storytelling in rigorous evidence.
🔗 Read the full open-access study: https://bit.ly/observerpub
#SciComm #ScienceCommunication #CivicScience #ObserverFilm #PublicEngagement #MediaResearch #AcademicPublishing #STEMEducation
