Conference: Computational Methods in Science Communication Research – Opportunities, Challenges, and Current Applications

Computational methods are gaining increasing importance in social and behavioral science research. In the field of science communication research, innovative Computational Social Science (CSS) approaches enable the efficient analysis of large text corpora—such as identifying scientific actors and topics in traditional and digital media, classifying scientific uncertainty, or examining the politicization of science. Techniques such as web crawling and web scraping for data collection, followed by dictionary-based text analysis, machine learning, and network analysis, play a crucial role in systematically investigating extensive communication data.

The SCOPE (Societal COmmunication in times of PErmacrisis, https://rptu.de/s/scopeLD) potential area at RPTU invites researchers to an interdisciplinary conference focused on opportunities and challenges of computational methods in science communication research. SCOPE promotes the interdisciplinary integration of innovative methods to better understand societal communication dynamics in times of crisis. The conference primarily focuses on methodological exchange around innovative CSS approaches in the context of science communication research. We invite scholars from various disciplines to present their research on content, dynamics, and effects of science communication using CSS. The conference provides a unique opportunity to share experiences, discuss methodological challenges, and explore future directions for CSS in science communication research

Call for Contributions

We invite colleagues to share their experiences and ongoing projects through presentations. Please submit your abstract (max. 300 words) to zhdl-mz-sekretariat@rptu.de. Submissions should focus on the application of computational methods in science communication research.

Work in progress is welcome. We explicitly encourage contributors to share methodological challenges they are facing, as these will serve as a basis for mutual reflection and exchange within the framework of the event.

Submission Deadline: Extended Until July 25, 2025

Review and Notification: August 18, 2025