Which trends in technology, education and society are likely to have an impact on the science communication sector – in particular science centres and museums – in the near future?

Spokes, the magazine of Ecsite, the European network of science centres and museums, put this question to a learning researcher, two science centre managers and two Web developers. Here we extract three up-and-coming concepts from their collective wisdom.

Post-truth. The current political climate and the rise in the rejection of “experts” are forcing science engagement organisations to go back to their mission and consider what their own position is.

Some are openly taking a stance in defence of scientific culture, taking on a more political role. Others argue that they need to stay neutral in order to remain trusted sources of information and learning. Most agree that it is their role to act as a place for dialogue and there is an ongoing discussion about what being “neutral” actually means (and whether it is at all possible).

The “post-truth” era is also calling on science communicators to make media education part of their mission.

Learning ecosystems. There is now a wide consensus among education stakeholders, including policymakers, that learning takes place in multiple settings, throughout people’s lives.

More organised networks of formal and informal learning organisations are seeing the light as a result. Infrequent or non-visitors are being paid more attention than ever, with a growing commitment from organisations to respond to the needs of a truly diverse audience.

MakerSpaces. Hundreds of FabLabs and other making or tinkering workshops have opened their doors in the past few years, some inside science museums or science centres. It’s not a fad, interviewees agree.

Grassroots science empowerment takes place in these places, paving the way for a more open-ended, personalised and user-centric museum. Makers are inventing new ways of producing and consuming and can be serious stakeholders in the transition towards a more sustainable society.

Read the full interviews in Spokes#27, February 2017: “Watching the Trendwatchers”. Click HERE for more.