Hello Alison
A welcome distraction on a Friday afternoon....
You have hit the nail on the head for me and I suspect you have asked a
question that some people find quite hard to answer, especially on-list! I
have spent quite some time pondering it in one form or another. I, like you,
set out with the intention of working in the "PUS"/"PEST" field as it was a
concept that I strongly believed in. I went into pharmaceutical PR because
I thought it would be an excellent communications training ground from which
to move into more "pure" science communications.
Whether there is a case for trying to increase
understanding/awareness/engagement in science for sciences sake is a good
question. I suspect there are better cases for people having a good
understanding of topics other than science, finances for example, in order
to improve the quality of their lives. Although, that in itself doesn't mean
that science shouldn't bother. Yet, even as an ex-academic scientist, I do
wonder whether there is something rather self-centred and arrogant about the
rather evangelical assertion that everyone SHOULD understand and support
science, even when it is not particularly relevant to them.
The reality is that you will always be able to talk to people who are
interested already (which is important in itself) and when those who aren't
interested need to find out, they will do so. However, it is important that
all people can easily find reliable information when they want to, not just
the web literate or those living in the south-east! In order for science to
be adequately and accurately represented in society, it is vital that
scientists communicate with the media effectively (as was illustrated by the
recent ESRC study) and are adequately represented in political circles.
Many of the "PUS"/"PEST" bodies are engaged in excellent activities of this
nature, but, to me, there is a fine but important line between ensuring
science is well-represented in society and trying to proactively increase
understanding/engagement. I suspect that people attempting the latter are
liable to end up banging their heads against a brick wall! Whether there is
a good case for trying, I would also be interested to hear!
I suppose this means that I haven't found an adequate answer to "why" yet -
do let me know if you get a good one!
Regards
Rebecca
Rebecca Todd
Associate Management Consultant
WestawayGillis Ltd
Tel: 01494 470763
Fax: 01494 472498
Email: [log in to unmask]
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-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on the public understanding of science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Alison Rivett
Sent: 23 May 2003 16:04
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [PSCI-COM] Why Communicate Science?
Dear BIG-Chatters and PSCI-Commers,
apologies for cross posting and if this topic has already been discussed
before. A somewhat philosophical inquiry for a friday afternoon...
I am in the process of trying to find myself a job in the area of 'public
awareness of science'. In the course of my cv-writing and application
form-filling
I have found myself frequently writing the phrase "I believe that
encouraging
people's interest in science is very important" (or something similar).
As many people on these lists spend their days doing this very thing I
thought
i would canvass opinion as to WHY they think that it is an important and
worthwhile thing to do. I have my own thoughts on the subject, but i would
be very interested indeed to know what everyone else thinks.
Cheers!
Alison.
PS. I promise not to pass anyone else's ideas off as my own without adequate
recompense!
-------------------------
Alison Rivett
[log in to unmask]
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