On the afternoon of May 23, 2023, the 18th Young Scholars Academic Salon was successfully held at the China Research Institute for Science Popularization (CRISP). The theme of this salon was “International Science Communication Research Frontiers and Insights from the PCST Model,” featuring a presentation by Professor Wang Guoyan from the School of Media, Soochow University.
Professor Wang Guoyan began with an overview of the 17th PCST Conference held in April 2023, providing detailed insights into the most influential international organization in the field of science communication, PCST (Public Communication of Science and Technology). She covered aspects such as member roles and regional distribution, the election mechanism of the academic committee, and the organizational model of PCST. Additionally, she shared her personal experiences regarding the application process for hosting the 2024 PCST International Science Communication Forum in Suzhou, offering valuable lessons for the construction of international science communication organizations.
Focusing on the journals Public Understanding of Science and Science Communication, Professor Wang introduced the latest research trends under the current context where the relationship between science and society is highly scrutinized across various multidisciplinary fields. She analyzed high-citation topics, high-productivity institutions for research papers, involved research methods, scientific issues, and research themes within these journals, highlighting popular research directions across different thematic areas in recent years.
Expanding her analysis to top-tier journals, Professor Wang delved into representative interdisciplinary science communication studies concerning five aspects: genetically modified organisms, misinformation, pandemic response actions, the scientific community, and the intersection of science and art. She provided a detailed interpretation of these cross-disciplinary research cases.
The attending scholars engaged in discussions about talent cultivation in science communication and the participation of frontline science professionals in PCST conferences. Participants unanimously praised the richness of the lecture, expressing that they had gained substantial knowledge and insights.
The Young Scholars Academic Salon at CRISP is part of implementing President Xi Jinping's important discourse on youth talent cultivation, focusing on building a high-end science communication think tank. It serves as an exchange platform aimed at nurturing outstanding young talents proficient in both academic research and think tank studies, fostering mutual understanding through exchanges and collective improvement through research. This salon was the second event of CRISP’s 2023 Academic Exchange Month, which will continue to organize a series of high-level academic activities focused on enhancing the capabilities of the science communication think tank, innovative development, and serving the academic forum on Chinese-style modernization.