In quest of publicity: the science—media partnership of the Galathea Deep Sea Expedition from 1950 to 1952

Abstract

The Galathea Deep Sea Expedition from 1950 to 1952 combined oceanographic research with simultaneous science reporting and strategically seeking publicity. In effect, the expedition organizers ventured into a science—media partnership. From the beginning, reporting scientific exploration to the general public at home and abroad was considered an essential part of the expedition. Combining scientific objectives with publicity concerns, the expedition built on boundary work performed by boundary workers separating science from the media. Several boundary objects were mobilized to facilitate interactions across the cultural border between scientists and journalists. In particular, the mythological sea serpent domesticated by scientists and fully adopted by journalists played an important role in aligning the scientific aspects of the expedition with publicity and science reporting. The historical narrative of the expedition feeds into contemporary discussions about the dominant discourse on science and the media.