Workshop "Connecting Knowledge and Values"

On July 10, 2026, the workshop “Connecting Knowledge and Values” took place as part of the MoWiKo research project. The target of the workshop was to bring together researchers from the project with science communication practitioners to further develop our guide on how to address moralizing in a way that promotes understanding, drawing on the participants’ practical experience.

Anna Klassen facilitated the day’s proceedings. Following a presentation of the MoWiKo project by Senja Post, the participants shared challenges and personal experiences related to communicating moralized topics. Janine Dengler, Lisa Gaffney, and Anna Klassen then presented an overview of the current state of research in the subprojects.

After Rafaela Hillerbrand presented the guide, we delved into group work. In small teams, highly moralized texts were revised using the guide, with passages that hindered understanding being rephrased into ones that fostered understanding. After the lunch break, another group activity focused on the guide: In small groups, participants discussed key points of the guide, such as the target audience, emotions in science communication, and communicating uncertainty. In addition, they raised very valuable points that could be used to modify and supplement the guide. The workshop concluded with a summary by Ekkehard Felder. It became clear that the exchange with the participants was a significant asset—not only for the further development of the guide but also for the entire MoWiKo project. It was particularly valuable to learn so much about the (primary) target audience of our guide. The discussions helped us both identify specific needs and understand broader societal contexts. The exchange with the participants also demonstrated just how diverse the contexts are in which our guide and the MoWiKo project are embedded.

A heartfelt thank you to all participants for their commitment and enriching contributions!

Franziska Schreier