Why We Need Open Science Communication Experts

Abstract

The changing open science landscape leads to new requirements and expectations in terms of dissemination, communication and outreach. With the increasing importance of micro blogging, social media and other interactive Web 2.0 channels for communicating research outcomes to target audiences outside academia, pressure on researchers to apply more marketing-oriented communication strategies and produce related content increases. In this paper we discuss how research dissemination and communication as well as the roles of researchers and science communicators are transforming in an open science context. We argue that the introduction of new science communication roles and positions is necessary to solve current gaps in public science communication.