Institutionalization of Science Communication in Universities of Türkiye: A Qualitative Analysis of Central Communication Units

Year 2023, Issue: 43, 19 - 44, 27.10.2023

Müge Öztunç , Ahmet Suerdem , Umur Bedir

https://doi.org/10.17829/turcom.1308989

Abstract

In contemporary policy documents and academic literature, the significance of institutional actors, particularly universities, in the communication and interaction processes between science and society is increasingly emphasized. This study aims to explore the science communication activities carried out by central communication units of universities in Türkiye, the distribution of these activities among sub-units within universities, the priorities and motivations for such activities, and the problems encountered in the institutionalization of science communication. Using a qualitative research method, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with senior officials from 20 public and foundation universities in Türkiye, and a thematic analysis approach was utilized to analyze the coded data. The results indicate that while there are noteworthy differences between public and foundation universities, central communication units prioritize routine and one-way science communication activities categorized as PR and Marketing, while Public Engagement and Public Affairs activities involving dialogue are carried out to a more limited extent. The primary motivation behind universities’ science communication is meeting specific institutional strategic goals rather than creating public benefit. Furthermore, institutionalizing science communication in universities has been hindered by personnel and budget constraints in communication offices, the lack of institutional autonomy, and undefined duties and authorities of these units under the legal regulations of the higher education system.

Keywords

Science Communication, Universities, Public Engagement, Institutionalization, Türkiye

Project Number

220K306

Türkiye’deki Üniversitelerde Bilim İletişiminin Kurumsallaşması: Üniversitelerin Merkezi İletişim Birimleri Üzerine Nitel Bir Analiz

Abstract

Güncel politika belgelerinde ve akademik yazında, bilim ve toplum arasındaki iletişim ve etkileşim süreçlerinde kurumsal aktörlerin, özellikle de üniversitelerin önemi giderek daha fazla vurgulanmaktadır. Bu çalışma, Türkiye’de üniversitelerin merkezi iletişim birimleri tarafından yürütülen bilim iletişimi faaliyetlerini, eğer mevcut ise üniversiteler içinde iletişim birimi dışında kalan diğer alt birimlerin hangi bilim iletişim faaliyetlerini yürüttüklerini, iletişim birimlerinin bilim iletişiminde önceliklerini, motivasyonlarını ve bilim iletişiminin kurumsallaşmasında karşılaşılan sorunları ortaya koymayı amaçlamaktadır. Nitel bir araştırma yöntemi kullanılarak, Türkiye’deki 20 devlet ve vakıf üniversitesinden üst düzey yetkililerle yarı yapılandırılmış derinlemesine görüşmeler yapılmış ve kodlanan verilerin analizinde tematik analiz yaklaşımı kullanılmıştır. Sonuçlar, kamu ve vakıf üniversiteleri arasında dikkate değer farklılıkları göstermekle birlikte, merkezi iletişim birimlerinin Halkla İlişkiler ve Pazarlama olarak sınıflandırılan rutin ve tek yönlü bilim iletişimi faaliyetlerine öncelik verdiğini, diyalog içeren toplumun bilime katılımını ve kamusal faaliyetleri içeren etkinliklerin ise daha sınırlı ölçüde yürütüldüğünü göstermektedir. Üniversitelerin bilim iletişiminin ardındaki temel motivasyonun ise kamu yararı yaratmaktan ziyade belirli kurumsal stratejik hedefleri karşılamak olduğu görülmektedir. Ayrıca, üniversitelerde bilim iletişiminin kurumsallaşması, iletişim ofislerindeki personel ve bütçe kısıtları, kurumsal özerklik eksikliği ve yükseköğretim sisteminin yasal düzenlemeleri kapsamında bu birimlerin görev ve yetkilerinin tanımlanmamış olması nedeniyle engellenmektedir.

Keywords

Bilim İletişimi, Üniversiteler, Kamusal Katılım, Kurumsallaşma, Türkiye

Supporting Institution

Tübitak 1002

Project Number

220K306

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