Public understanding of science bibliography: February 2000
A monthly round-up of books, reports and articles collated by the Wellcome
Library's Information Service. All the below references are publicly
available, for reference, in the Information Service
<http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/infoserv> or from the British Library's Lending
Division, via public, academic or special libraries.
Articles- Public understanding of science
What is scientific and technological culture and how is it measured? A
multidimensional model
In the last decade, scientific culture has become a theme much discussed at
all levels of public discourse. All scientific and technological policies
developed in the last few years in
OECD countries have included scientific culture as one of their aims,
principles, or objectives. Despite the ubiquity of the term``scientific
culture,'' there is little agreement on its content. Definitions and
understandings of what a scientific culture is vary across countries,
groups, and individuals. There is also no consensus on how to measure
scientific culture. The present paper addresses the question ``what is a
scientific culture?''. It presents multidimensional model wherein scientific
culture is defined as having two dimensions: individual and social. It then
discusses how the model can be used to define indicators of scientific
culture and to understand recent developments regarding the role of
scientists in the diffusion of scientific culture.
Godin , B., Gingras, Y. Public Understanding of Science Vol. 9, No.1
January 2000 p.43-58
Bibliography
A round-up of scholarly publications on public opinion in regard to science,
health, risk and science communication.
Public Understanding of Science Vol. 9, No.1 January 2000 p.81-83
The tyranny of the L-shaped curve
Following recent public unrest over controversial issues such as genetic
engineering and global warming, this article by Sir Ian Lloyd argues that a
low level of public understanding of the issues involved means that
important science and technology policies should not be put to public debate
but be left to experts best qualified to decide.
Science and Public Affairs February 2000 p.14-15=
Where goes public understanding?
Since the 1985 Bodmer Report, public understanding of science activities
have mushroomed. Promoting public understanding has formed a significant
agenda for scientists and a new profession of 'science promoters' has
developed. Andy Boddington and Trudy Coe, directors of Evaluation Associates
Ltd conclude that the field must not become so specialised as to forget the
need for a diversity of approaches. They suggest that a clearer idea of
what science promoters are trying to achieve, underpinned by evaluative
data, is needed. The articles is available on the web at
http://www.evaluation.co.uk/pus/UKpus/where_goes.html
Science and Public Affairs February 2000 p.24-25
Articles- Public participation and attitudes
Public seeks new dialogue.
A recent report from the US National Research Council has focused on the
public reaction to the January 1999 study of the radiation scare at the
Hanford Atomic Products Operation in Washington state after the Second World
War. The report uses this incident to illustrate how scientists often have
difficulty communicating effectively with the public over
controversial issues. A low-grade version of the publication is on the web
at
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/6283.html
Physics World February 2000 p.6
Articles- Science communication
Better informed
Coventry University has launched a communication, authoring and design
degree course to combat incomprehensible technical manuals and badly
designed
new media.
THES February 11 2000 p.13
Articles- Science and media
Drought, debate, and uncertainty: measuring reporters' knowledge and
ignorance about climate change
Increasingly, the media are important sources of scientific information.
Recent studies indicate that this is especially true for climate change.
This study analyses reporters' understanding of climate change by
identifying sources of reporter knowledge about climate change, measuring
reporters' acquired knowledge against the scientific consensus, and
analysing differences in reporter knowledge based on several factors that
may influence climate change reporting. Results show that reporters who
primarily use scientists as sources and who work the environmental beat
full-time have the most accurate climate change knowledge.
Wilson, K.M. Public Understanding of Science Vol. 9, No.1 January 2000
p.1-13
The Mars Meteorite: A case study in controls on
dissemination of science news
Through interviews with participants and analysis of media reports, this
paper reconstructs the preparations for the 1996 announcement of the
discovery of evidence of fossilised life in a meteorite from Mars. The
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the American
Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) attempted to manipulate
the timing and manner of press coverage. Contrary to the stated rationale
for embargoes on science news, premature disclosure of the paper in the
media resulted in news coverage that was largely accurate.
Kiernan, K. Public Understanding of Science Vol. 9, No. 1 January 2000
p.15-41
Newspaper reporting of hazards in the UK and Sweden : Public understanding
of risks is likely to be informed by the media.
We report a cross-national study looking at how newspapers in Sweden and
the United Kingdom characterise a variety of risks, focusing on two months
around the 10th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident. Approximately four
times as many reports about risks were found in Sweden as in the U.K.,
possibly reflecting a Swedish safety culture. The Bovine Spongiform
Encephalopathy (BSE) crisis dominated reporting in both countries,
especially in the U.K. The proportion and pattern of reports on Chernobyl
was similar across countries. However, in Sweden, there was an increase in
reports about other nuclear hazards after the anniversary, suggesting that
generalisation of media concern may have occurred. Generally, BSE was
discussed using a greater number of characterisations in the U.K., while
Chernobyl was reported using more characterisations in Sweden. Reports about
hazards tended to be
alarmist rather than reassuring, and rarely used statistics to express
degrees of risk.
Rowe, G., Frewer, L., and Sjo"berg, L. Public Understanding of Science
Vol. 9 No. 1 January 2000 p.59-78
Vive le journalisme, vive la science
Calum Mackeller, lecturer in bioethics at Queen Margaret University
College, Edinburgh, reports on a recent conference in France attended by
scientists, lawyers, politicians and journalists organised to respond to the
increasing gulf between the public and science. The conference hosted by the
Centre for Training of Journalists concentrated on the role of the media in
communicating controversial areas of science.
Science and Public Affairs February 2000 p.26
Seeking consensus on contentious scientific issues
An article reflects on a conference held by the Foundation for Science
and Technology which looked at the complex nature of decision making in the
control of risks to health and the environment. The article also analyses
the behaviour, knowledge and views of the British public on science,
government and business in relation to new advances.
Technology, Innovation and Society 15 Winter 1999 p.12-24
Seeking consensus on contentious scientific issues
An article reflects on a conference held by the Foundation for Science
and Technology which looked at the complex nature of decision making in the
control of risks to health and the environment. The article also analyses
the behaviour, knowledge and views of the British public on science,
government and business in relation to new advances.
Technology, Innovation and Society 15 Winter 1999 p.12-24
Articles- Science and ethics
Politics, misinformation and biotechnology
An editorial by US Senator Christopher Bond of Missouri argues that
advances in agriculture based on genetic engineering are necessary and
desirable to feed and improve the health of millions of people in developing
countries. US scientists must therefore be more active in explaining their
work to a sceptical public to counteract the "hysteria and unworkable
propositions" of their opponents.
Science 287 18 February 2000 p.1201
Euro food agency options
Following increasing public concerns and discussions over food and
health safety, the European Commission has released a discussion paper, 'A
European Food and Public Health Authority: the Future of Scientific Advice
in the EU', in a bid by the Commission to open debate and find a way forward
to address concerns over food safety.
Outlook on Science Policy February 2000 p.18
Gene database faces consent setback
The near-complete genetic database of the population of Iceland being
built by the US firm deCode Genetics may be shunned by major pharmaceutical
companies because it does not involve the active consent of the people being
studied. A meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of
Science last week heard that Glaxo Wellcome would not regard the deCode data
as acceptable. THES 1423 18 February 2000 p.3
Facing up to ethical challenges
Irving Leach, chair of the American Association for the Advancement of
Science' s committee on scientific freedom and responsibility writes on the
need for scientists to play active roles in resolving the ethical dilemma's
often raised by their work. Using case studies such as a the involvement of
doctors in a pharmaceutical company's clinical trial and potential public
threats of exposure to nuclear waste, Leach concludes that if scientists are
to play effective roles in resolving conflicts they must be prepared to pay
the cost of participation, commitment and exposure to public opinion.
Physics World February 2000 p.16-17
The GM debate: science or scaremongering ?
Many conversations on genetic modification over the past few years have
begun with the words 'I'm not a scientist but....' They usually go on to say
they do not follow the scientific detail, but doesn't seem right to tamper
with genes. The media and pressure groups have fuelled the fire with emotive
term like 'Frankenstein food', genetic pollution and 'mutant crops'. There
are important lessons here, which are as much about people and society as
they are about science.
Dale, P. Biologist 2000 Vol. 47 No.1 p.7-10
Articles- Science museums & centres
Effective management of museums in the 1990s
A survey of 33 museums of various kinds in Australia, Canada, the UK and the
USA sought to identify the features distinguishing the more effective
organisations as assesses by independent experts. Staff at each museum
responded to a questionnaire about features common to all organisations as
well as some particular to museums. Teamwork, a concern for quality and an
emphasis on public programming are common to effective museums. Executive
leadership champions a vision, models appropriate behaviour, and works
together effectively. Board members use their skills and knowledge to
advance the organisation's mission. Their is concern for quality, shared
goals, good communication, respect for the contribution of others, attention
to training, strategic allocation of resources, and an integrated, flexible,
and responsive structure. Public programming emphasises strategic approaches
to achieving positive outcomes for visitors, including a variety of learning
strategies. Museums surveyed include The Natural History Museum, the Science
Museum, Museum of Science, Boston and Ontario Science Centre.
D. Griffen et al Curator January 2000 Vol.42 No.1
p.37-55
Hands together for hands-on
Ian Simmons, director of INSPIRE Hands-On Science Centre in Norwich,
responds to last month's survey of the new Millennial Science
Centres (Museums Journal March 2000 p.525). Simmons feels that the report
depicted a rather partial view of the UK science centre scene which is not
solely populated by cash rich millennial centres and highlights the work of
long-standing networks such as ECITE and BIG (British Interactive Group).
Museum Journal February 2000 p.15
Moves and honours
The Science Museum has named Lindsay Sharp, out-going President of the Royal
Ontario Museum, as the new director. Neil Cossons, the current director ,
will
retire his role in June 2000.
Museum Journal February 200 p.11
Museum in search for live human exhibits
The £50m Wellcome Wing of the Science Museum was unveiled yesterday and
plans for the wing were disclosed. It is intended to explore the potential
of science and one gallery will be dedicated to human identity, using four
volunteers who will have their brains scanned and their DNA sequenced and
put on display.
Guardian 4 February 2000 p.8||See also Daily Telegraph 4February 2000 p.12
Karen John-Pierre
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