Host Rasmus Cloes talks with Prof. Dr. Jana Semrau on the Digital Public Health Podcast about Mastodon, the Fediverse, and why public-interest social media could be the future of science. The discussion centers on digital sovereignty, new communication channels, and genuine interaction without algorithms. Can the Fediverse really replace the major platforms?
Rasmus talks with Jana about science communication beyond Instagram, Twitter, and the like. The focus is on the Fediverse—a decentralized network based on openness, transparency, and the public good. Together, they explore how researchers can communicate their content in a more independent, inclusive, and people-centered way—without algorithmic bias or platform dependency—and what this means for health promotion online.
It becomes clear: The Fediverse is more than just a technical alternative. It opens up new possibilities for genuine exchange, digital sovereignty, and value-based communication—especially for health promotion. But how realistic is the switch, and who can you actually reach there?
Jana Semrau is a professor of Sport, Physical Activity, and Health Promotion at the University of Bremen (Department 11). Her research focuses on physical activity-based health promotion in complex living environments, with
a particular emphasis on equity, sustainability, and well-being. She also works on social practices, transformation, and inter- and transdisciplinary approaches at the intersection of sports science and public health. After holding positions at FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg, in teaching, and in occupational health management (including Siemens-BKK), she completed her habilitation in sports science in 2025. In addition to her academic work, she is actively involved in science communication and uses platforms such as the Fediverse to communicate research in an open, dialogic, and socially relevant manner.
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