A Esfera: Comunicação Académica e Novos Media

Abstract

In a connected world, the main problem a researcher has to face is that it is not as connected as it is expected – or, indeed, it should be. By this we mean that there are connections, but most of them are 'closed' connections, in the sense that they require a sort of key, usually a paid one, to enter into that information world. This is the problem, and what is discussed here is a contribution to overcome it. The scientific information world is a world of sharing - ideas, techniques, methodologies -, published in books, journal articles, conference proceedings and reports, among others. Not only is this a world of sharing, it also requires that it should be for the enhancement of science for all. One could reasonably expect that this technology or new media of communication would bring about a more equalitarian world; yet, this new layer of communication reflects and even reinforces the differences existing in our ordinary world. On the other hand, it invites us to imagine how it could be, contemplating new and more cooperative ways of doing science. We will try to show that this is possible; in fact, to challenge the ordinary ways of how science is communicated and disseminated – that is, shared – is imperative for the exploration of new modes of dialogue and co-construction of science, not just for researchers but for the whole society.