An examination of the effects of digital media on the communication of science

Abstract

Science communication has never existed in a vacuum. As communication technologies evolve, so do the strategies of scientists. A historical analysis of this relationship reveals major influences that have filled information gaps left in the wake of new communication technologies. I have identified three such influences that affected 20th Century scientific communication: the corporate, the military-industrial, and the need for 'visibility' in the visible scientist. The cultural framework of the existing communication strategies has always shaped the pursuit of science. To remedy this problem, scientists need to embrace the new media landscape and become the primary communicators of their work. Transparency is the key to the successful dialogue of science.