Mike's observation raises some interesting questions.
Yes Expertsources (and others) are there to cover the mass media - and yes
they make money offering these services to generalist journalists because
they make it easy for them - one number experts on everything! Defining an
expert as someone who knows more (however little) than you do about a
subject helps of course.
Now, are we (or Mike) saying that SMC and A-G are only reaching specialist
science journalists etc? Are we with these new(ish) structures yet again
facilitating "scientist to speak unto scientist" rather than openning
channels to a wider audience? I am sure that SMC and A-G would claim a wider
audience - certainly much wider than anything before they both came into
existance - but is their main business actually coming from science/
specialist journos only?
The science journos still have to get the "science branded story" through
their editorial filter.
And what can we/ they do to change this? Do/ should A-G/ SMC feed into the
generalist "expert" providers?
Regards
Tim Reynolds
>From: Michael Kenward <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: "psci-com: on public engagement with science"
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Expert Sources
>Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2006 21:44:01 +0100
>
>The point about Expertsources is that it is something that the average hack
>will consult. AlphaGalileo and Science Media Centre, wonderful as they are,
>and much as I did my bit to spread their messages, reach the specialists.
>
>
>
>Expertsources is part of a bigger PR thing that it used widely in the
>media.
>
>
>
>I have used it once or twice, usually just to test the system. It normally
>smokes out PR folks. Not something I would recommend to a "bench boffin,"
>as
>they would doubtless dub them.
>
>
>
>____________________________
>
>Michael Kenward
>
>ABSW e-minder
>
>http://www.absw.org.uk
>
>http://absw.blogspot.com/
>
>
>
>
>
> _____
>
>From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mary
>Sent: 26 October 2006 09:44
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Expert Sources
>
>
>
>Doesn't the Science Media Centre do this already, for free? And they will
>put journalists in touch with scientists who are good at communicating and
>really know their stuff, whereas this service would seem rather to
>encourage
>people who want personal publicity. I can't see many journalists using
>it,
>to be honest.
>
>Mary
>
>
>
> _____
>
>From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jonathan Osborne
>Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2006 10:30 AM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: [PSCI-COM] Expert Sources
>
>
>
>I have had the following message from this organisation after a brief
>appearance on TV complaining about the failure of scientists to understand
>the media and how scientists need to present what they do to make their
>work
>interesting to journalists. I said that I would pass it onto people on
>this
>list and you may wish to pass it on to scientists you know. The caveat, of
>course, is that it costs to register with them. I am passing it on because
>he has a more general point beyond advertising the service.
>
>Jonathan Osborne
>King's College London
>
>
>Expertsources is an online directory of UK Experts (in all subjects)
>available to the media. Our site is widely used by more than 2,000
>journalists to find specialist comment on news, current affairs and news
>features.
>
>There are a number of science experts registered with us. We want to
>attract
>many more:
>* to give science experts more opportunities to raise awareness of
>themselves, their organisations & their subjects; and to broadcast their
>opinions
>* to provide journalists with expert comment and ideas for different angles
>on stories/features.
>
>Unlike other specialist areas such as health, transport, politics etc -
>scientists willing to be available to the media are proiving difficult to
>recruit. Many complain science is being ignored and yet are very reluctant
>to help 'sell' it to the public in any way.
>
>Many of the scientists registered with Expertsources use complicated jargon
>as their keyword expertise (those words & phrases journalists use to find
>them). For most, the keywords chosen will never be searched.
>
>In its simplest form - journalists who want someone to comment on stories
>involving baldness or hair loss do not, generally, search for an expert in
>tricology (although that's what they usually get)!
>
>To stem the decline in the number of science students/teachers, you are
>right to argue that all branches of science should make themselves more
>relevant to life in the 21st Century. If that means making science 'sexy',
>then so be it.
>
>There is a terrific opportunity, via sites such as Expertsources, for
>specialists in Chemistry, Physics and Biology to promote themselves to
>journalists working for newspapers, magazines, radio & television in a far
>more 'attractive' manner.
>
>With many years' experience of working within the media, we would be
>willing
>to talk to any science-based organisation to explain how to promote and
>market themselves and their members far more effectively.
>
>This approach may be frowned upon in some academic circles. But probably
>there is little alternative if the decline in enthusiasm and interest in
>science is to be reversed. We're nearing the time when the only reason to
>invite a science expert onto a television programme is to talk about the
>lack of interest in their subject!
>
>We would be grateful if, as you suggested, you would pass on the details of
>www.expertsources.co.uk <http://www.expertsources.co.uk> to any science
>organisations or associations which you think would benefit by adopting a
>more pro-active attitude to their PR.
>
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