Clara Kühner, Bernhard Goodwin, 2023
Munich: Munich Science Communication Lab
Abstract: This report presents the evaluation results of a two-hour science communication event titled “Social Tipping Interventions and Science Communication” at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU). Within five short presentations, a panel discussion, and a question-and-answer session with the audience, three speakers (Prof. Dr.
Harald Lesch, Prof. Dr. Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann, and Dr. Martin Herrmann) explained and discussed the concept and significance of social tipping interventions in the context of the climate crisis. The goals of the event were to convey the concept of social tipping interventions, to motivate participants to engage in climate-protective behavior on an individual and collective level, to increase perceived self-efficacy regarding the climate crisis, and to reduce negative climate emotions. An online pre- (N = 553) and post-survey (N = 424) was used to examine the fulfillment of these goals and the impact of the event on the participants. Interest in the event topic, perceived relevance of social tipping interventions, willingness to act on a societal level, and confidence and drive for action regarding the climate crisis increased after the event. There were no changes in reported self-efficacy as a result of the event. Anger and disappointment were among the most frequently mentioned climate emotions in both the pre-and post-surveys. Overall, participants rated the event positively, but only 65% stated that the event met their expectations. Possible explanations for the partially critical view of the event are presented as part of the analysis of qualitative comments from the post-survey (e.g., lack of practical examples of social tipping interventions).
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