Hyping basic science: a responsible choice?

Fundamental research usually garners less media attention than technology and medicine. Arguably, hyping basic science would be less harmful than the hype of technological and medicinal innovations because it is not directly related to marketing and commercial interests. This workshop will tackle thorny questions about amplifying fundamental research in science communication. Can we ethically use hype to foster public engagement with basic sciences? Is it possible to responsibly magnify the relevance of fundamental research without overpromising scientific progress and applications? Can we strategically hype basic science without incurring the risks of damaging credibility and eroding public trust?

We aim to encourage knowledge exchange and reciprocal comprehension among a multidisciplinary group of basic science researchers, science communicators and ethicists. Through collaborative working sessions and discussions, we will acquire a deeper understanding of the incentives, motivations, and obstacles in the communication of fundamental research. Furthermore, we aim to address the main challenges and ethical dilemmas in promoting basic science and communicating promising scientific advancements in their early stages.

The following questions will drive the discussions:

• Can basic science be strategically hyped while not incurring the risks of damaging credibility and public trust?
• How can we responsibly magnify the relevance of basic science to foster public engagement?
• What are the best approaches to communicating unfinished, promising, work-in-progress research?
• What can be learned from successful and unsuccessful experiences in the communication of fundamental scientific breakthroughs?

The main objectives are:

• To provide a forum for experts from the basic sciences, science communication, ethicists and policymakers to openly discuss how to tackle the challenges in communicating science in the making and the ethical dilemmas in strategically hyping basic science to foster public engagement.
• To augment our comprehension of the significance of ethical considerations in communicating across different communication channels (i.e., as social media) advancements in fundamental research.
• To discuss and establish effective and ethical communication strategies for public engagement with basic science.