Are you familiar with Pint of Science? Science Cafe? Science on Tap?
Whatever you call them, the idea is simple - bring together a group of people in a pub, bar, cafe, or other location to hear about research from researchers while enjoying their favourite beverage. If research from Margaux Barrett and fellow researchers at Villanova University in the USA is anything to go by, event attendees are learning quite a bit.
Focusing on their program Science on Tap—Phoenixville, the researchers surveyed attendees at one of their events and people who signed up to their mailing list to learn more about their audience, how they feel about the information being shared, and on the program overall.
Those who responded reported all said they had learned something at these events (24% some things, 56% a fair amount, and 20% a great deal). Topics survey participants were most interested in were (in order of most to least) “environmental science,” “animals,” and “space,” and preferred talks with a local spin to an international one. Generally, participants had been to several Science on Tap events, too.
Sounds pretty positive? It is! But there are a few things to just bear in mind.
People who go to these types of events are self-selecting. They are already interested in the topic (or at least drawn to it).
People who answered the survey also self-selected. Are they the ones who are most happy with the events? If you didn’t like the events, you probably won’t be that engaged in the email list - or stay subscribed at all. Capturing the voices of these people is a challenge that isn’t unique to this study.
None of this devalues the role of these types of events. Not everyone will be interested in these types of events. Not everyone will be attracted by the format. That’s ok!
Engaging with more disinterested audiences is a challenge across the whole research/science communication field. It’s important to try to connect with these audiences, but it’s also important to keep engaging those already research or knowledge curious. We also can’t forget the importance is building connections and community between the “ivory tower” and, well, those outside. Making space for outreach and engagement is vital. These types of events are one of the ways we can do that.