Reach Card Deck

REACH Card Deck

A card-based toolkit to integrate Science Communication and Citizen Engagement into research—early, creatively, and effectively.

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The REACH Card Deck is a structured collection of 113 method cards, created to support researchers in designing meaningful, participatory science communication activities. Each card describes a real-world communication format, organized into four goals: Transparency,  Engagement, Inspiration, Awareness.

Based on data from wissenschaftskommunikation.de, published by WiD, NaWik, and KIT, with support from BMFTR, Klaus Tschira Foundation and the Stifterverband.

Transparency

Open up your research process. Share data, methods, and progress clearly and accessibly to build trust, invite feedback, and make science more understandable for everyone involved—from funders to the broader public.

Inspiration

Spark curiosity and wonder. Use surprising, playful, or immersive formats to connect emotionally with your audience, ignite interest in your topic, and encourage reflection or behavioral change beyond the research itself.

Engagement

Go beyond informing—invite participation. Use dialogue, co-creation, and collaboration with citizens, communities, or stakeholders to shape your research and make it more relevant, inclusive, and grounded in real-world needs.

Awareness

Raise visibility and scientific literacy. Promote your research through media, exhibitions, and storytelling to create understanding, foster ownership, and empower people to make informed decisions based on scientific insight.

How to Use the Cards

Ideation & Inspiration

Use selected cards to generate creative communication ideas in workshops or with your team.

Plan your communication strategy early in the project with REACH as a guiding tool.

Let team members take on stakeholder roles to explore formats from different perspectives.

Reflect on successes and challenges using the deck at project end.

The REACH Card Deck was created by:

Maryam Amidi, HS Flensburg
Dr. Aike C. Horstmann, University Duisburg-Essen
Jana Alina Mertineit, HS Flensburg
Prof. Dr. Torben Wallbaum, HS Flensburg

Funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) as part of the initiative “Nähe über Distanz”.