Combining university public relations and science communication: Tensions and Opportunities

The video abstract is presented by Miguel Vissers who is a doctoral scholarship holder at the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Antwerp (Belgium). He is a member of the research groups ’Media & ICT in Organisations and Society (MIOS)’ and ’Antwerp Media in Society Centre (AMSoC)’. Contact email: miguel.vissers@uantwerpen.be

About the Paper

Actual Research Paper Title: Surfing the COVID-19 news waves: a Belgian case study of science communication and public relations with university press releases.

Authors: Miguel Vissers, Steve Paulussen, & Gert-Jan de Bruijn

Publication date: Oct 14, 2024

Abstract

Press releases remain an important link between academia and the media. While science communication is a goal of universities, public relations is also becoming increasingly salient. The press release, as a significant tool for both science communication and institutional public relations, means that the fields are entwined, prompting us to propose viewing science communication and public relations on a continuum. Based on a quantitative content analysis of all press releases sent out by a Belgian university during the COVID-19 pandemic we show what this university communicates about and identify how science communication can be used for public relation purposes and vice versa.

Relevant Readings

Public relations as science communication

Press releases — the new trend in science communication

Public communication from research institutes: is it science communication or public relations?

Science public relations: The parallel, interwoven, and contrasting trajectories of public relations and science communication theory and practice

Public Communication Activities of Research Institutes

Civic Science Media Lab

CSML's mission is to document the diverse practices of civic science to inform, educate, and inspire current and the next generation of practitioners in the field, and the broader publics. Through the practice of ethnographic civic science journalism, the lab offers practitioners a sandbox for experimentation—using video, digital publishing, and audio—to surface and make sense of the knowledge, lived experiences, behaviors, motivations, and responsibilities that shape civic science.