What’s cooking in the M-Lab? A Bloomberg News style Civic Science Journalism Initiative

Acting as a guide in the fast-moving world of civic science, CivicSciTV is a broadcast network developed by the M-Lab to address this exact issue. The mission: to conduct investigative civic science journalism to bring to the forefront the newest thinking and actionable ideas from diverse experts; share news generated by diverse stakeholders and organizations in the field; and enhance the visibility of innovative initiatives connecting people to science. Ultimately, the network aims to make information generated within civic science more accessible. Why? The current civic science ecosystem lacks a dedicated resource that offers real-time insights into what’s happening in the rapidly evolving field.

Fanuel Muindi hosts the network’s flagship show called ‘Questions of the Day‘, which shares actionable insights by asking guests timely and pointed questions on diverse topics and recent events within the civic science domain. For example, Caroline Hu, a neuroscientist, science cartoonist, and illustrator, recently appeared on the show when Muindi visited her during the launch of her new science-art exhibit titled “Metamorphosis’ in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 

In a similar vein, Professor Mike Schäfer at the University of Zurich also recently appeared on the show to discuss a new paper he had published in the Journal of Science Communication, where he highlighted the urgent need for more research on AI’s impact on science communication. His cautious yet optimistic outlook on the potential of AI technologies in advancing science communication provided a thought-provoking contribution to the discourse. Other segments include a 2022 documentary of an expedition to Bogota, Colombia where Fanuel talked with some of the local science engagement stakeholders to both learn and get new insights from their work. 

In parallel, the ‘Changemakers‘ show hosted by Special Correspondent Victoria Gonzalez celebrates inspiring leaders pioneering innovative initiatives in the civic science sphere. A recent episode spotlighted Alessandro Strobbe, a Peruvian science communicator, best known as Doctor Trónico on social media, who employs humor, storytelling, and creative writing to popularize science in an effort to highlight the power of engaging and accessible communication methods in the process.

In an effort to provide news headlines in civic science, the newest addition to CivicSciTV’s lineup is ‘The Newsroom‘, hosted by our Special Correspondent Jake Krauss. Krauss’ recent coverage included a range of critical topics such as the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on science communication, Taylor and Francis’s Open Access Books initiative, the Logan Science Journalism Fellowship, and the Geological Society of America Fellowship. These discussions underscore the channel’s commitment to providing its viewers with the latest developments in the field in an accessible manner.

Through highlighting such varied expert views and stories, CivicSciTV is making significant strides in the ongoing growth of the civic science field. By enhancing the visibility of innovative initiatives and ideas that bridge people and science, the channel visualizes the growing global-civic science movement, promotes knowledge-sharing among stakeholders, surfaces new ideas, and offers usable insights. Since its soft launch in January 2020, CivicSciTV has published over 600 hours of video content. 

For CivicSciTV, every conversation, every question posed, and every story told is an opportunity to spark curiosity, inspire action, and foster deeper connections across stakeholders in civic science. What sets CivicSciTV apart is its exclusive focus on civic science. By offering usable insights, sharing diverse news, and highlighting novel initiatives visually, it is initiating one of the first formal pushes in civic science journalism. Tune into CivicSciTV for engaging, informative, and inspiring civic science stories shaping the science engagement world.