How can we shape closer links between society and science?
The focus of the Tangible Link field of research is on creating objects and emotional triggers, that act as a shortcut between (scientific) knowledge and the everyday world of experience of society. Such tangible links are pressingly needed because some problems require opening up their narrowed scope to include the outer world – to not only find answers beyond the obvious but also to find the right questions.
Although science is all around us and unconsciously influences our daily lives, research priorities are often built on the input and feedback of a selected scientific group of people and not really on the empirical values of the people affected by it. One of the main reasons for this is that scientific publications often require previous knowledge that implies a scientific background, which makes it complicated or even impossible for the general public to follow up and take part. But how can we lower the often described “ivory tower” and bring science and society closer together?
Due to the difficulty of proper information transfer and consequently the lack of involvement of the public, Tangible Link deals with the transformation of hard-to-grasp topics into handy bits that build on the social reality of each of us. With the help of this reduction, the content is not only accessible to a broader audience. It also produces a longer-lasting impression that could be the reason to dive deeper, get in dialog, and become part of the contents itself.
The challenge within this transformation process is to design a balanced minds-on experience that on the one hand represents a significant part of the knowledge and on the other hand leaves enough room to integrate this knowledge in our own individual construct of reality. If we hit this point, and knowledge suddenly fills up with meaning, we can encourage the public to get active, take part – and with this mix of different perspectives jointly shape our future.
Key Works
The Ars Electronica Futurelab developed specially designed installations and exhibits about gesture research together with the Chemnitz University of Technology.
New platform for science communication where museum visitors can experience the connection between science and society through active research and experimentation.
Development of a planning table of the lakeside city Aspern – a model for orchestrated city development at the gates of Vienna – for the Technical Museum Vienna.
An innovative and interactive museum e-bike to support the Citizen Science Initiative of the Natural History Museum Vienna (NHM).
Related Blog Posts:
Where science meets society
The dark side of light
Gestures: When Humans Reach out to Machines
Aspern, Vienna’s Urban Lakeside with Model Character
