Discover research: New series introduces researchers at the University of Bayreuth

How does a research question lead to new knowledge? And how can scientific findings be communicated in ways that are both accessible and engaging? In a new science communication series, the University of Bayreuth is putting dedicated early-career researchers and their work in the public spotlight.

3 questions. No excuses!

Jun. Prof. Alex Plajer

The concept

In an initial series of six episodes, researchers will have the opportunity to present their topics, questions and findings to a broad audience. The series is aimed both at members of the University and at people outside academia who would like to learn more about the research being conducted at the University of Bayreuth and about its significance for society, business and the environment.

What makes the series distinctive is that its content is presented across three complementary formats:

Short posts on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok provide the starting point. They highlight key aspects of each research topic, spark curiosity and encourage audiences to explore the subject in greater depth.
More in-depth video interviews follow on the University of Bayreuth’s YouTube channel under the title “3 Questions, No Excuses”. In these interviews, researchers talk about their projects, explain the significance of their work and describe why the University of Bayreuth provides a particularly strong environment for their research. Additional questions offer more personal insights and open up new perspectives on careers in research.
Each interview is accompanied by a short profile of the researcher. This gives audiences a sense of the people behind the research, their academic journeys and the questions and ideas that drive them.
Those who would like to explore a research field in even greater depth can find an extended written interview on the University’s website. Here, researchers have the space to discuss their work, their motivation and the wider relevance of their research in greater detail.

With this multi-format approach, the University of Bayreuth aims to reach different audiences through the channels they prefer to use — from quick encounters with research on social media and more in-depth video content to extended background interviews. At the same time, the project provides an opportunity to gain valuable insights into which forms of science communication resonate most strongly with audiences and how scientific content can be communicated even more effectively in future.