Critical Theory of Science Communication

The application of Critical Theory to how science is communicated to publics—examining who gets to speak for science, whose voices are amplified, and how communication can serve domination or liberation. Critical Theory of Science Communication asks: Who are the experts quoted in media? Whose perspectives are missing? How do science communicators frame issues, and whose interests do those frames serve? Does science communication empower publics or just deliver messages from above? Drawing on science and technology studies, critical pedagogy, and media studies, it insists that science communication is never neutral—it's always political.

"They say 'trust the science' as if science were unanimous. Critical Theory of Science Communication asks: trust which scientists? Funded by whom? Speaking to whom? Science communication often hides disagreement, complexity, uncertainty. Critical theory insists on communication that informs, not just commands—that empowers publics to think, not just obey."

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 4, 2026

Critical Theory of Science Communication

The application of critical theory to science communication—examining how power, ideology, and social relations shape what science gets communicated, how it's framed, and to what ends. Critical Theory of Science Communication asks: whose interests does science communication serve? What assumptions are built into its forms? How might it be transformed to better serve democratic participation and social justice? It draws on critical theory, science studies, and communication theory to analyze and critique existing practices and to imagine alternatives.

Example: "He applied Critical Theory of Science Communication to the pandemic coverage, asking how communication had been shaped by political pressures, corporate interests, and institutional agendas. The coverage wasn't just information; it was politics. Understanding that was essential for knowing what to trust."

by Abzugal March 9, 2026

Critical Science Communication

An approach to science communication that emphasizes questioning assumptions, examining power relations, and attending to the social and political dimensions of how science is communicated. Critical Science Communication doesn't just transmit scientific findings; it also communicates about the context, limits, and politics of those findings. It asks: who funded this research? What are its limitations? How might it be used? What perspectives are missing? Critical Science Communication is science communication with its eyes open, aware of its own role in shaping public understanding and public policy.

Example: "The journalist practiced Critical Science Communication: she didn't just report findings; she also reported who funded them, what limitations existed, what alternatives were being studied. Her readers were better informed—not just about what was known, but about how it came to be known."

by Abzugal March 9, 2026