Gallagher Áine, Fracchiolla Claudia, Fairfield Jessamyn A
University of Galway, Ireland.
American Physical Society, USA.
Public Underst Sci. 2025 Jul;34(5):628-645. doi: 10.1177/09636625241291464. Epub 2024 Oct 30.
Understanding motivation and impact of participation in public engagement programs is crucial for fostering dialogue between researchers and the public. Using Self-Determination Theory and Reflexive Thematic Analysis, in this study we analyzed motivation and impact on identity of researchers participating in Bright Club Ireland, a public engagement project where academic researchers learn to use stand-up comedy as an informal and accessible means of communicating their research, then perform at a public-facing variety night alongside professional comedians. Through semi-structured interviews and focus groups, we found that participation in Bright Club is largely intrinsically motivated, driven by researchers' desire to gain skills, be recognized as experts, and present their own perspectives on their disciplines. These findings shed light on how participation in public engagement can promote a sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness among researchers, and highlight the role of creative expression in facilitating reflection and growth.
理解参与公众参与项目的动机和影响对于促进研究人员与公众之间的对话至关重要。本研究运用自我决定理论和反思性主题分析法，分析了参与爱尔兰光明俱乐部（Bright Club Ireland）的研究人员的动机及其对身份认同的影响。这是一个公众参与项目，学术研究人员学习将单口喜剧作为一种非正式且易于理解的方式来传达他们的研究，然后与专业喜剧演员一起在面向公众的综艺节目中表演。通过半结构化访谈和焦点小组，我们发现参与光明俱乐部很大程度上是出于内在动机，这种动机源于研究人员渴望获得技能、被认可为专家并展示他们对自己学科的独特见解。这些发现揭示了参与公众参与如何能在研究人员中促进自主感、能力感和归属感，并突出了创造性表达在促进反思和成长方面的作用。
