Mediating expert knowledge: The use of pragmatic strategies in digital research digests

Abstract

Scientists are under increasing pressure to enhance public awareness of the societal implications of their research. This involves recontextualizing highly specialized knowledge into forms accessible to diverse audiences, varying in levels of expertise. While much research has focused on the reformulation of ideas for popularizing purposes, less emphasis has been placed on the pragmatic strategies involved in adapting expert knowledge for varied audiences in digital contexts. A pragmatic approach that leverages both verbal communication and digital tools could provide insights into these dissemination strategies. This study examines how digital research digests, which are concise versions of research articles, make scientific research accessible to non-experts. The study identifies two key sets of strategies: expert-oriented, which emphasize authority and credibility, and audience-oriented, which simplify complex ideas and relate them to everyday life. These strategies blend to form a unique narrative voice that balances authority with accessibility. The paper argues that effective digital dissemination should integrate both linguistic and pragmatic methods to successfully communicate complex information across different digital practices.