Keegan, Ciara and Mulhall, Rebecca (2023) Communicating criminological research to the public – findings from the science communication literature. (Working Paper Series No – 18 May 2023). Working Paper. MUSSI, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.

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Abstract

It is necessary to communicate the findings of social research to educate the public, challenge problematic beliefs and inform the political discourse (Uggen & Inderbitzen, 2010). In the field of criminology, this is essential given the highly political nature of criminal justice policy and the fact that criminological findings on how to meet needs and keep society safe are often complex, countercultural and counterintuitive to many. How best to do so, however, presents challenges to academics of all disciplines. Research on science communication is burgeoning, finding common pitfalls around the framing of research communications, their visual and linguistic presentation, and the pedagogical techniques commonly employed. When communicating with the public, many educators rely on traditional lecturing methods, neglecting situated, discussionbased learning. Yet, the evidence suggests that traditional lecturing is not experienced as engaging and does not sufficiently hold learners’ attention, rendering it ineffective. Rather, research consistently shows the benefits of facilitating independent learning and engaging learners dialogically to explore deeply held assumptions. Research pertaining to framing, meanwhile, shows that challenging existing narratives and justifying reform in relation to crime and justice requires careful consideration as to which findings and arguments are prioritised, and what types of language, values and metaphors are used.

Item Type:	Monograph (Working Paper)
Additional Information:	MUSSI Working Paper Series No – 18 May 2023
Keywords:	Communicating criminological research; public; findings; science communication literature;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Institutes > Maynooth University Social Sciences Institute, MUSSI Faculty of Social Sciences > Law
Item ID:	18290
Depositing User:	IR Editor
Date Deposited:	19 Mar 2024 16:39
Publisher:	MUSSI
URI:	Organisation
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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