And those are exactly the sort of questions the Science Communication group
at Imperial bring out and discuss, and the point of things like this
conference.
And it's not just some self-referential ivory tower, many fantastic science
communication practitioners were students there, where they learnt both to
communicate science and to think a little deeper about how and why they are
doing it.
More power to their elbows, I say.
Soph
>From: duncan dallas <[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] Challenging communications
>Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2007 11:59:20 -0000
>
>Like Phil, I also think it is time to challenge conventional ideas of
>science communication or science engagement. For instance what is meant by
>'Consultation' - a feelgood word used by agencies and organizations to give
>authority to their reports?
>
>Usually 'Consultation' means sticking a notice on that organisations'
>website, asking for comments, writing to established learned societies,
>academics, 'stakeholders' and NGOs asking for papers, and organising one or
>two public meetings. Then sit back, collect the material, and write the
>report.
>
>But we are all, in some way, 'stakeholders' in, for example, stem
>cell/genetic research, and the line between the expert and the public has
>been blurred by the internet, where anyone can quickly become an expert
>with
>enough dedication. Furthermore the assumption is made that solutions to
>problems will come from traditional areas of expertise, not from outsiders
>or via public discussion. True consultation isn't just confined to
>listening
>to special interests groups via the web - it involves open-minded, face to
>face discussions with cross-sections of the public, and some sort of
>transparent analysis of those discussions. It seems to me that we are along
>way from that.
>
>Duncan Dallas
>Café Scientifique
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
>Sent: 12 January 2007 09:32
>To: Duncan Dallas
>Subject: Challenging communications
>
> >Practitioners and theorists - is this a call to arms - something to >the
>tune
>of "my understanding is better than yours"?
>
> >Why exactly do we try to make the science of communication, >sorry
>science communication, simplistic? Perhaps we should be >spending more
>time challenging - "but what do you mean?"
>
>It was rather a good one wasn’t it? As I have got my stirring spoon out,
>perhaps I could give another twist?
>We have had PUS, PEST now how about POST?
>Public ownership of science and technology.
>I’m only a very small cog in the communication field, but can’t help
>feeling
>
>that it is time that public fears over new technologies are listened to
>rather
>than ‘educated out’. There is a thin line between science communication and
>propaganda. You don’t need to know the exact science of, for example, stem
>cell / genetic research to feel instinctively that there are philosophical
>and
>ethical boundaries. The ‘trust us we are scientists’ line is still a major
>feature
>of engagement and the dreaded dialogue. Should we now move to a listening
>to the public regime and empowering them to make decisions for
>themselves? We may not like the results and it may damage funding, but like
>any ‘issue’ group our overall goal should be to become unnecessary.
>Perhaps this is an over simplistic personal rant, in a way I hope it is,
>but
>if
>there is anything useful in it, please feel free to play.
>Thanks,
>Phil.
>
>
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