Algae exhibition study dataset

Study dataset generated from the 'Algae' exhibitions that took place in Helsinki, Finland, in 2024 and Melbourne, Australia, in 2025, both for approximately one month. Dataset includes responses from 354 surveys (Helsinki: 224, Melbourne: 130). Survey data was supplemented by an exhibition diary of visitor observations and notes of conversations recorded by the first author or research assistant, who were always in attendance while exhibitions were open, and comments written in the exhibition guestbook. Further details can be found in the README-file. Survey data were collected and managed using REDCap electronic data capture tools hosted at the University of Helsinki. All participants were appropriately informed of their rights as participants and details of data archiving according to the guidelines provided by TENK (Finnish National Board of Research Integrity) (see also included privacy notices). In both locations, the survey was available in English; in Helsinki the survey was also available in Finnish, with one respondent choosing to complete their responses in Swedish. Following collection, survey data were cleaned, and translated as needed from Finnish and Swedish into English by the first author, followed by deidentification through removal of demographic information. The core questions of the surveys remained the same between the Helsinki and Melbourne exhibitions, with small changes made to the Melbourne survey to correct of error in age categories, remove a follow-up repeated likert-scale question (after it became apparent that most survey respondents were unwilling to complete the survey until they’d at least somewhat engaged with the exhibition, making a pre-test post-test analysis impossible), updating of demographic questions about country of birth and residence to specify a broader definition encompassing traditional country, and the addition of one knowledge question about the Great Southern Reef (as an important but relatively obscure local algal environment (Bennett et al., 2015). Project funded by: Wiipurilaisen Osakunnan Stipendisäätiö, The University of Helsinki doctoral programme LUOVA, Vuokon Luonnon Suojelusäätiö, KONE Foundation, HELSUS (Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science) Project website: https://algaeexhibition.weebly.com/