Munich Science Communication Lab : Let’s protect science ! 

This joint initiative (uniting Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Deutsches Museum, Naturkunde Museum Bayern, SNSB – Staatliche Naturwissenschaftliche Sammlungen Bayerns, Helmholtz Munich, Mediaschool Bayern, and Technische Universität München) has a clear goal: to protect science. SCL’s purpose is to make scientific information clear and accessible to the public; to that end, they run open calls, workshops, exhibitions, and film screenings. Focusing mainly on four topics which are communicating planetary health, harmful science communication, constructive science communication and impactful science communication, they bring data and talents to spread knowledge in efficient ways.The lab does more than communicate about science; it strengthens the research pipeline so that knowledge exists, circulates, and is available to the public. They support researchers in ethical ways by opening internships, jobs and grants for the works realised, and at one point even paused open calls, recognising they couldn’t fairly reward submissions within their means. A mission like this demands rules: rigorous methods, transparent evaluation, and a safe, critical dialogue where informed critique can happen without fear. MSCL leans into that mandate. Their research program explicitly tackles harmful science communication—including the fact that scientists are “particularly exposed to hostility on social media”—and tests which measures effectively counter online harassment. In other words, they don’t just talk about norms; they study interventions that work. They also communicate that stance publicly, not as PR but as a protective practice: regular updates and explainers, plus an active YouTube slate (MSCL Colloquium talks, shorts on supporting science communicators, etc.) that model open, moderated, evidence-based discussion. 

Hearing how MSCL is structured to protect science made clear just how necessary this work is. They don’t stop at support; they build the conditions (psychological safety and editorial standards) for honest dialogue. Rooted in student life, their work also reaches into student communities through a partnership with M94.5, Munich’s student radio. Together they’ve produced podcasts on science communication—building skills, sparking interest, and getting science on the air.