The idea that " if you do a science degree you won't understand technology
at all..." seems really strange. Is that a general experience?
Studying one subject does not have to suck you into the minutiae to such an
extent that you cannot address it critically or that you cannot dive
enthusiastically into other areas of science. Ask any 'Fleet Street' science
journalist/reporter/writer.
If your objective is to study science as a way into sci-comm, then you
should clearly do your science degree with that in mind. Pick the right one
and choose options that fill any gaps that you perceive.
But the sentiment is right. There must be all of two or three 'arts'
graduates, apart from Bill Bryson, who have made a successful transition
into science comms, although few into science. But Bryson didn't have to
apply for jobs in sci-comm, which is what the original question was really
about.
I suspect that the consensus expressed here - that a science degree is a
good idea - reflects experiences when interviewing and being interviewed for
jobs.
Then again, I hardly think that a degree in the history and philosophy of
science can leave someone ignorant of science, how it works and all the
other knowledge that it takes to be good at sci-comm. Such a degree might
even be appropriate for an aspiring sci-comm person, probably more so than a
"vocational" degree. But there you face the "no going back" dilemma.
I studied history and philosophy of science as a minor part of a physics
degree. (I already had an O*-level in it before going to university.) But
that was back in the days when the university I attended required science
undergraduates to study an arts course, and vice versa. They gave that up
because - please don't all laugh - the arts people were "too busy".
MK
-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Richard Ellam
Sent: 09 March 2015 13:08
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Advice sought for A level student
Whilst the advice being offered is undoubtedly sound I'd suggest that the
notion that you can't be a great science communicator without an
undergraduate degree in 'a' science is wrong. One of the best science show
presenters and science buskers in the business has a history degree, but a
real passion for science. I've been doing science communication, as a show
presenter, a museum curator and a designer/maker of interactive exhibits for
the best part of thirty years on the back of a degree in the history and
philosophy of science and maths/physics A levels. I don't know if I'm a
'really good' science communicator, but people seem to like what I do.
The problem with studying any particular science subject is that while you
get steeped in the minutiae of your subject, and possibly learn something
about scientific method and the social context of science, you might well
not leave your degree with areal understanding of the social context in
which science is done, or the wider issues that have shaped the history and
development of your subject, let alone the scientific project in general.
You also won't be equipped to quickly assimilate the basics of a subject not
your own in order to be able to communicate these to your audience. I have
seen some truly dreadful, if well meaning, attempts at science
communication by highly qualified scientists and equally some very effective
and thoughtful work done by people who have no specialist scientific
training but understand science as a human and social enterprise.
And if you do a science degree you won't understand technology at all...
It might therefore be best for this student to seek to read a general
scientific degree, such as biology or whatever, at a university which offers
strong subsidiary courses in history and philosophy of science, and/or
'science in society' rather than depending on teaching on her main degree
course to provide the breadth of knowledge and understanding required to
succeed in science communication.
Hope this helps
Regards
Richard.
Richard Ellam
L M Interactive
Science Shows and Hands-On Stuff
[log in to unmask]
www.lminteractive.co.uk
On 9 Mar 2015, at 09:16, Williams, Lynda, Springer Healthcare
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I would think it hard* to be a really good science communicator if you've
never studied science to at least undergraduate level - half the
qualification is surely about learning to learn, learning how scientists
think, learning how to interpret and critically appraise data and, not
least, learning the joy and enthusiasm (and heart break) that comes from
studying a tiny area of specialist subject.
>
> And an undergrad science degree is something many (most?) sci comm roles
will expect. Employers want to know you can understand the science you're
promoting.
>
> I'd advise to go for the science undergrad course that interests her most
and take every sci comm opportunity that comes up while she's studying.
There's plenty of postgrad courses and volunteering opportunities if she
wants to specialise more later.
>
> *but obviously not impossible
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Liz Nicholson
> Sent: 09 March 2015 00:40
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [PSCI-COM] Advice sought for A level student
>
> I am a lurking teacher so hope I am doing this bit right! I have a year12
student who is adamant she wants to go into scicomm and who has a strong
portfolio already. She is starting to look at UCAS applications but isn't
sure whether to go for a more scicomm based degree like Science in Society
at UCL or whether to go for a more specific degree and specialise later.
her problem is she is so enthusiastic she wants to do it all!.
>
> Thanks for your advice!
>
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