In the project 'Biofabrication for NIFE', we are supporting the development of personalised implants from a communication science perspective. The project is a cooperation between the three major universities in Hanover (MHH, LUH and HMTMH) under the direction of Prof. Dr. Meike Stiesch (MHH). On the one hand, we are interested in the public image of innovative medical products and the discourse in the media on the opportunities and risks associated with various types of implants, for example. Two standardised media content analyses of German reporting in quality newspapers and news magazines provide further insights. On the other hand, the opinion formation of the lay public on controversial specialist topics as conveyed by the media is also a relevant issue within the project, which we have analysed in more detail in the form of two surveys with an experimental design using the example of opinion formation on medical animal experiments. The results of the studies will also be incorporated into the development of a communication strategy for the project and the scientists involved.
The co-operation project is funded by the state of Lower Saxony and the Volkswagen Foundation.