Science meets public: Customized technology research communication

Abstract

This paper presents factors influencing the choice of strategies and means for the communication of large-scale research as a part of science communication. It addresses project leaders, researchers, and communication professionals working for large-scale research projects. The empirical study uses two qualitative methods, focuses on influences on the communication strategies of large-scale research projects, and aims to improve their communication. It is part of an interdisciplinary large-scale research project that investigates new smart grid technologies. In the study, the influencing factors were found and grouped into the following categories: target group-related factors (state of knowledge, interest, information needs, content level of granularity, and communication preferences for formats and channels), communication-related factors (the direction of communication, communication properties), and external factors, such as the project-timeline. The study argues for a more nuanced and customized concept of target groups and a more differentiated information and dialogue process with regard to the project timeline and stakeholder group.