An international symposium in Koper opened questions about trust in science, disinformation, and the role of researchers in society.
The ISH Faculty of Alma Mater Europaea University, in cooperation with ZRS Koper, organized the international symposium From Research to the Public: Science Communication in the Humanities and Social Sciences, dedicated to the question of how to bring science closer to people in the age of artificial intelligence, social media, and disinformation.
Experts from Slovenia, Germany, and Norway emphasized that researchers today can no longer remain solely within the academic sphere – effective science communication is becoming essential for public trust and for understanding contemporary society.
Artificial intelligence, algorithms, and the battle for public attention
Andreas Hadsel Opsvik from the University of Bergen presented contemporary ways of bringing research closer to the public – from podcasts and AI film exhibitions to the use of augmented reality. At the same time, he pointed out the paradox of our age: researchers often use the very digital platforms that they also critically investigate.
Disinformation is erasing the line between truth and manipulation
Dr. Meike Haken from Berlin's Freie Universität emphasized that the boundary between scientifically verified information and manipulative content is becoming increasingly blurred. In her view, researchers must show the public not only the results of research, but also the way science is created – transparently, argumentatively, and responsibly.
A Slovenian example of good practice: the public helped research Kosovel
The project of the National and University Library of Slovenia, presented by Dr. Jana Kolar, attracted considerable interest. The wider public was included in the project of transcribing Srečko Kosovel's manuscripts, and volunteers helped create a digital corpus for further research using computational methods and artificial intelligence.
The project not only preserved cultural heritage, but also actively involved people in the research process and increased interest in Slovenian literature.
Youth against fake news
Dr. phil. Gerald Hühner presented the Jugend schreibt project in cooperation with the renowned German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (F.A.Z.), where young people develop critical thinking, media literacy, and a responsible attitude toward information through research and publishing articles.
A researcher today is no longer just a researcher
Dr. Daniel Siter also contributed, emphasizing that the popularization of science is no longer an additional activity, but part of researchers' responsibility to society. He highlighted the importance of cooperation with the media, schools, cultural institutions, and social media, and stressed that researchers today must know how to present their work clearly, understandably, and engagingly to the wider public.
Cultural heritage as a space for dialogue
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anja Hellmuth Kramberger presented archaeology as an important form of science communication that connects researchers, cultural institutions, and the wider public. Using examples from international cultural heritage projects, she emphasized that involving local communities, educational activities, and the accessible presentation of research results are now a key part of contemporary archaeological work. According to her, archaeological heritage represents an important bridge between the past and the present and encourages dialogue between different social and cultural environments.
In the panel discussion Science communication – transfer – impact – social effect, moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anja Hellmuth Kramberger, participants included Saša Senica (Delo), M.A. Jens Notroff (German Archaeological Institute – DAI), Dr. Jana Kolar (NUK), and Dr. Gerald Hühner. They discussed the role of science communication in contemporary society, the transfer of research findings into the public sphere, and the social impact of science.
The future of science depends not only on new research, but also on the ability for knowledge to reach people and help society understand the challenges of the modern world.
