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Thesis Info
- LABS ID
- 00931
- Thesis Title
- Exploring Sci-Art Activism in Science Festivals as an Antimicrobial Resistance Public Engagement Tool
- Author
- Natasha Niethamer
- E-mail
- natashaniethamer AT gmail.com
- 2nd Author
- Mark Roughley
- 3rd Author
- Kathryn Smith
- Degree
- MA Art in Science
- Year
- 2020
- Number of Pages
- 29
- University
- Liverpool John Moores University
- Thesis Supervisor
- Mark Roughley
- Supervisor e-mail
- M.A.Roughley AT ljmu.ac.uk
- Other Supervisor(s)
- Kathryn Smith
- Language(s) of Thesis
- English
- Department / Discipline
- Liverpool School of Art and Design
- Copyright Ownership
- Natasha Niethamer
- Languages Familiar to Author
- URL where full thesis can be found
- docs.google.com/document/d/1mDbW6VbwvxDJQzBXGY8qVsl0jruuZ_K5TTwUnN3e2P8/edit?usp=sharing
- Keywords
- Public Engagement, Antimicrobial Resistance, Sci-Art Activism, Science Festivals, AMR Awareness, Microbial literacy, Art-Science Activities
- Abstract: 200-500 words
- Sci-Art activities at science festivals are increasingly utilised as public engagement (PE) tools. Recently there has been an increased number of antimicrobial resistance themed activities at science festivals as a response to the recognized urgent global public health threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is a natural process in microorganisms resulting in drug-resistant infections. Though AMR PE activities in the festival setting aim to increase public awareness, research evaluating the festival platform as one conducive to the aims of AMR engagement is mixed.
The aim of this research study is to explore participatory art-science activities at science festivals to determine if interactive, art-science public engagement activities at science festivals are an effective platform for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) public engagement (PE). AMR is a complex, multifaceted concern that requires global policy changes and collective action to address. Two key aims of AMR PE, which may contribute to slowing down AMR rates, include awareness of AMR (specifically regarding common misconceptions in the public) and long-term behavioural adjustment regarding misuse and overuse of antimicrobials.
This dissertation explores current and historical examples of participatory art-science activities at science festivals through a literature review of key papers in the field. Analysis of the available literature and a number of case-studies highlights common themes concerning successes and obstacles in festival-based art-science engagement or activism. PE activities at festivals often lack critical evaluation, and the activity designs are not shared with wider audiences who could find them helpful in developing similar activities. Additionally, analysis of the effect of participation in PE activities on long-term behaviour change of the participant is lacking, which is an especially important factor in relation to AMR.
This dissertation aims to initiate a much needed conversation in regards to creating effective AMR PE activities that are informed by evidence-based theories. Given that the key aim of AMR PE activities is to communicate AMR in a way that facilitates learning and long-term memory in the general public, there seems to be preliminary evidence that the festival setting is a useful PE AMR platform. However, there is not enough sufficient evidence to firmly support the festival setting’s effectiveness as research regarding festival-based AMR PE is a relatively new field. There are many mechanisms in which to influence public knowledge and attitudes, however, the most effective strategy in AMR PE is yet to be defined. By establishing a standardized framework, more work can be done to inform and strengthen future activities.