Communication in Crisis?
Exploring new methods of science communication for mathematics and computer science and how to rebuild trust with the public

In addition to the general crisis of trust in science and the media, researchers and science communicators are experiencing a certain hesitation to communicate on topics in the fields of computer science and mathematics in particular. Many topics in these fields often appear too complicated to communicate to a general public. At the same time, these fields deal with many important topics that also deeply affect the lives of ordinary citizens. Therefore, it is all the more important to communicate them well and report on them in a manner that conveys this relevance. After all, only well-informed citizens can make responsible decisions about their future. We see time and again that public discourse on scientific issues often lacks focus and the requisite depth because those who can make serious contributions to it are not heard or are reluctant to speak up. How can the scientific community and science journalism help counteract these trends? How can mathematics and computer science in particular be communicated in a way that sparks the public’s curiosity and interest? How can the scientific media’s discourse help increase the public’s measure of trust in it? What cutting-edge journalistic genres, styles and methods can provide new avenues and opportunities for science communication, particularly for complex issues? This panel will explore those questions in detail.

Moderator:
Eva Wolfangel

Panelists:
Yann LeCun (ACM A.M. Turing Award - 2018), Anil Ananthaswamy, Eugenia Cheng and Anna Maria Hartkopf

The 9th Heidelberg Laureate Forum took place from September 18–23, 2022. #HLF22

The Heidelberg Laureate Forum (HLF) is an annual networking conference where 200 carefully selected young researchers in mathematics and computer science spend a week interacting with the laureates of the most prestigious awards in their disciplines: the Abel Prize, ACM A.M. Turing Award, ACM Prize in Computing, Fields Medal, IMU Abacus Medal and Nevanlinna Prize.

The opinions expressed in the videos do not necessarily reflect the views of the Heidelberg Laureate Forum Foundation or any other person or associated institution involved in the making and distribution of these videos.

More information on the Heidelberg Laureate Forum: https://www.heidelberg-laureate-forum.org/
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