Science shapes our society. It provides answers to pressing questions, drives technological developments and influences political decisions. Yet what truly matters is not only what is being researched, but how this knowledge is communicated.
Science must be accessible and understandable.
In recent years, the relationship between science and the public has changed significantly. Digital media, social tensions and global crises have made dialogue more complex and weakened trust.
You can read more in our article that is going to be released end of November in the Wiener Digital Revue at the University of Vienna.
The science communication of the coming years will be shaped above all by three key questions:
These questions make one thing clear: science communication needs to be rethought, not as a one-way street, but as an open exchange.
In Austria, this exchange poses a particular challenge. Compared to other European countries, trust in science here regularly ranks in the lower third. More than 30% of the population view research findings with scepticism.
This discrepancy highlights one thing clearly: effective communication determines whether research resonates — and whether it can have a real impact on society.
Studies such as the State of Science Communication Report show that content presented clearly and visually increases the acceptance of scientific findings significantly.
Design, therefore, is not a “bonus” — it is an integral part of scientific work. It is not about public relations, but about making research tangible for the wider public.
Our approach to science communication understands accessibility in two dimensions. Both dimensions are interconnected. If one is missing, people remain excluded.
Even ideal ease of access is not enough if content is not understood. The central principle: simplicity does not mean trivialisation — it enables participation.
Researchers are experts in generating knowledge, but not necessarily in communication. Nevertheless, 77% still handle their own visual design. As a result, a gap often emerges between science and public perception.
This is precisely where agencies like ours come in: translating complex scientific content into comprehensible, well-structured formats — without compromising professional precision.
This becomes particularly relevant in the context of modern developments such as generative AI, which is fundamentally transforming scientific communication. These technologies open up new possibilities for visualisation, text processing and data interpretation, but also carry risks: algorithmic bias and the blurring of boundaries between authentic research and machine-generated content.
This is where experts are needed — those who can navigate the balance between technological innovation, promotional logic and scientific integrity. As a first guide, we recommend our checklist of 20 questions (only german version as of now), designed to support any project in science communication.
A prime example of successful science communication in Austria: The project FÄKT! by the Austrian Academy of Sciences brings science directly to children and young people — through YouTube, TikTok and Instagram — visually engaging and easy to understand.
High content standards meet young target audiences and fast-moving platform dynamics. Through engaging formats and consistent design, science is presented in a way that is both accessible and comprehensible.
Another example is the international research project Bureaugraphies at the University of Vienna, which we have had the opportunity to support.
The university provided standard WordPress templates, functional but limited. A lack of independence, minimal design flexibility and the absence of a dedicated subdomain restricted the project’s reach. We therefore focused on:
Only when science is understood can it enter public discourse and shape societal decision-making. Whether it concerns health, climate or digitalisation — all areas are equally affected. We see it as a shared responsibility to strengthen trust in science, because only then can genuine social progress take place.
For us, this means developing design and communication that make science accessible and comprehensible. We create formats that enable dialogue and regard this work as part of research itself — as a bridge between knowledge and the public.
Anyone wishing to make science visible needs expertise, creativity and the courage to explore new paths. This is exactly where we come in. Together with our partners, clients and everyone who wants to help shape the future of the digital space.
Our full article on this topic will be published at the end of November in the Wiener Digital Revue at the University of Vienna, including interviews, data and further insights into successful science communication.