The Architecture of the Ivory Tower - Navigating Structural Constraints and Conceptions of the Public in Communication of Scientific Knowledge
Authors
Ratje, Thomas Richardt ; Jensen, Miaamalie Sandgreen
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2024
Submitted on
2024-06-07
Abstract
This thesis examines how natural and health science researchers at Danish universities make research-based knowledge public, and the systemic and conceptual constraints that shape this work. Drawing on a radical ontology that treats knowledge as produced through chains of translation and using the lenses of standardization and invisible work, it critiques common notions of the general public and target groups through the concept of Issue Publics—publics that organize around specific issues. Empirically, the study is based on 13 semi-structured interviews and a design-game workshop. The analysis characterizes the university as a standardized configuration that prioritizes key performance indicators and esoteric dissemination, rendering science communication extracurricular and often invisible. A pervasive publish-or-perish culture and vague wording in the University Law shift institutional responsibility and hinder efforts to make knowledge public. Both the idea of a general public and narrowly defined target groups are found to be obstructive, while an issue-oriented approach via Issue Publics affords researchers greater flexibility. The thesis proposes amending the University Law to secure funding for communication and reallocating overhead costs to support this essential work, and introduces a reflection tool that helps researchers identify their Issue Publics and refine communication strategies. Together, these measures aim to reduce unrecognized labor, strengthen inclusive practices, and contribute to the democratization of scientific knowledge.
Specialet undersøger, hvordan natur- og sundhedsvidenskabelige forskere på danske universiteter gør forskningsbaseret viden offentlig, og hvilke systemiske og begrebsmæssige begrænsninger der præger praksis. Med udgangspunkt i en radikal ontologi, hvor viden forstås som noget der skabes gennem oversættelseskæder, og med begreberne standardisering og usynligt arbejde som analytiske linser, problematiseres udbredte forestillinger om den brede offentlighed og målgrupper via idéen om Issue Publics – offentligheder, der organiserer sig omkring konkrete sager. Empirisk bygger studiet på 13 semistrukturerede interviews og en designspils‑workshop. Analysen beskriver universitetet som en standardiseret konfiguration, der prioriterer KPI’er og esoterisk formidling, hvilket gør videnskabskommunikation til ekstraarbejde, der ofte er usynligt. En publish‑or‑perish‑kultur og den uklare formulering i universitetsloven peger på, at institutionelle ansvar forskydes, så opgaven med at gøre viden offentlig vanskeliggøres. Forestillinger om både den generelle offentlighed og snævre målgrupper identificeres som hæmmende, mens en sagsorienteret tilgang via Issue Publics giver forskere større fleksibilitet. Specialet foreslår at ændre universitetsloven for at sikre finansiering af formidling og at omfordele overheadmidler til støtte for dette arbejde, samt præsenterer et refleksionsværktøj, der hjælper forskere med at identificere deres Issue Publics og skærpe strategier. Tilsammen sigter disse tiltag mod at reducere uerkendt arbejde, styrke inkluderende praksisser og fremme demokratiseringen af videnskabelig viden.
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Keywords