Design for public engagement with science-related online events

Abstract

A wider public engagement with science benefits the public itself, the science community, and the entire society (Bell et al., 2017). Several research indicates that museums and schools are not the only venues where people engage with science as they are constantly exposed to it in other informal settings, such as television, newspapers, books, and the internet. However, during these last few decades, it is undoubtedly the internet that has become the most influential way for the public to acquire knowledge. (Dierking et al., 2003). Due to COVID-19, online events have become one of the most current settings and has attracted a much broader public who can engage with science. However, to the best of my knowledge, little research pays attention to the participant engagement of online science events, which is the starting point of this thesis.

This master's thesis aims to research the factors that affect participants’ engagement in science-related online events. These findings can support event providers to design better experiences for participants. Thus, more might will become more willing to be engaged in science.

A qualitative research method has been used to collect data, namely semi-structured interviews with experts. Seven experts related to the event industry in Finland have been invited one by one to share their perspectives on the research aims. To ensure versatility, the experts were selected from different organisations, some of them at academic institutions, others were active in the event market. Data was analysed via qualitative content analysis with the help of Getz’s design strategy of physical event design.

This study unfolded four themes: Setting and design, theme and programme design, context, science-related online events; all of these include seven main elements that might enable event providers to improve public engagement in science-related online events. In addition, eleven design drivers were proposed based on the research results, which could be the inspiration for further research and design projects. Based on the research data and design drivers, a conceptual project, namely a platform of information sharing, showed a possible outcome of improving the engagement.

This thesis created a preliminary frame of a design strategy for online events. It pointed out the characteristics that play an essential role in people's engagement at science-related online events. The design drivers created through the thesis would be worthwhile for further research as well as for practical application for event providers. The conceptual idea was introduced to provide a new perspective to create an engaging experience and extend the influence of online events after the events themselves.