Wissenschaftskommunikation als medienästhetische Praxis: Zur Formatentwicklung im 'spielenden' Labor

Science communication is undergoing a significant evolution through the integration of humanities-based game laboratories, which function as hybrid environments for both academic inquiry and aesthetic practice. By shifting away from traditional, static research settings, these spaces prioritize a process-oriented approach where the laboratory itself becomes an experimental truth spot. This transformation is driven by five interdependent practices—documenting, researching, playing, negotiating, and producing—that collectively bridge the divide between conventional scientific methodology and creative exploration.

The effectiveness of these laboratories relies on the deliberate design of physical and social spaces that foster transformative creativity. By removing hierarchical structures and implementing flexible zones, researchers can externalize implicit knowledge and engage in collaborative prototyping. A practical application of this model is the development of board games that translate complex institutional dynamics into tangible artifacts, thereby aestheticizing scientific discourse. This approach demonstrates that knowledge production is not merely a product of technical equipment but emerges from the dynamic interplay between participants, their gestures, and the atmospheric qualities of the environment.

Operating within the context of contemporary media culture and design aesthetics, this model emphasizes the necessity of hybrid configurations that balance performance areas with spaces for retreat. By treating the laboratory as a site of active, playful engagement, researchers at institutions like the Rhine Ruhr Center for Science Communication Research are successfully redefining how academic findings are communicated to broader audiences. Ultimately, the integration of game-based formats into research infrastructure serves as a vital catalyst for innovation, proving that the aestheticization of research processes is essential for modern, interdisciplinary knowledge dissemination.