Voices of Science

a transnational critical review on the use of podcasts in science communication

Abstract

This article presents a transnational critical review of the use of podcasts as a tool for science communication. It analyzes experiences from Western Europe, North America, Asia, and Latin America, based on academic studies addressing both theoretical and empirical aspects of audio-based scientific outreach. The comparative analysis is structured around six thematic axes: sociopolitical context, producer profiles, narrative formats, scientific themes, accessibility, and challenges. The results highlight the diversity of production ecologies and mediation strategies between science and society, emphasizing the podcast's role as a cultural, educational, and political practice. In countries like India, Brazil, and China, podcasts have been appropriated as tools for epistemic inclusion and symbolic resistance. The review also discusses the influence of popular, non-scientific podcasts that feature expert guests, broadening the public reach of science. The findings suggest that podcasts are a powerful medium for engaging diverse publics and reimagining the place of science in everyday discourse.