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SCIENCE COMMUNICATION, EDUCATION and the HISTORY OF SCIENCE A Conference at the Royal Society, 6 Carlton House Terrace, London W1 12-13 July 2000 Arranged by the British Society for the History of Science with support from the Royal Society This meeting comes at a time of re-appraisal of the `public understanding' of science, of renewed discussion about the form and purposes of science education in schools, and of increasing popular interest in history of science, catalysed by Dava Sobel's _Longitude_, Michael Frayn's _Copenhagen_ and various other works. Since the way we represent its past plays a significant role in framing contemporary attitudes towards science, it is important to examine critically the role of history of science in these public contexts. This conference will bring together leading science communicators, educationists and historians of science for a critical examination of the ways in which history of science is used in popular writing, in the media, in museums and in schools. It will also ask whether public representations of the history of science adequately reflect current historical scholarship, and explore various initiatives worldwide which seek to promote improved communication of recent work in the history of science. Conference themes include: . Science and its publics: an historical overview . History of science in popular science writing . Perspectives encountered in museums and science centres . Science, history of science and the media . Schoolbooks and syllabuses: recent developments and future plans . Using history to represent `other voices' in communication about science. A session on history of science in literature and the arts will be held at the British Academy, when academics and authors will join a panel discussion of the current interest in this field. Participants are also invited to attend Prof. Roy Porter's Royal Society Wilkins Lecture on the evening of 11 July (title: 'Reflections on scientific and medical futurology since the time of John Wilkins'). Conference speakers include: Dr. Jim Bennett (Director, Museum of History of Science, University of Oxford); Prof Geoffrey Cantor (University of Leeds) Prof. Rick Duschl (Science and Technology Education Unit, Kings College London) Prof. Kostas Gavroglu (University of Athens; co-ordinator of an EU project which has established a history of science syllabus in Greek high schools); Dr Paula Gould (Young Science Writer of the Year, 1997). Prof. Susan Greenfield (Director, Royal Institution); Martin Hollins (Qualifications and Curriculum Authority); Andrew Hunt (NEAB AS-level syllabus in Science for Public Understanding); Prof. Bruce Lewenstein (Cornell University; Editor of Public Understanding of Science); Christine McGourty (Science and Technology Correspondent, BBC News). Dr. Steve Miller (University College London; co-author of Science in Public: Communication, Culture and Credibility (1998)); Dr. Melanie Quin (Techniquest, Cardiff); Prof. Joan Solomon (Centre for Science Education, Open University); Dr. Jon Turney (University College, London); Dr. Andrew Warwick (Imperial College, London). Based on papers made available beforehand, sessions will consist mainly of discussion of issues arising from those papers, introduced by the contributors from the different fields. More details of the programme and associated papers will be made available on the BSHS web site: http://www.bshs.org.uk Call for associated papers In addition to the contributions already arranged the organisers are inviting proposals for papers related to the themes listed. After review, those papers which are accepted will be made available in the a pre-conference web-based collection of papers. To propose such a paper, e-mail your abstract of not more than 300 words to Jeff Hughes <[log in to unmask]>, from whom further details are also available. Conference Office: 31 High St, Stanford in the Vale, Faringdon, Oxon, SN7 8LH, U.K. [log in to unmask] ________________________________________________________________ REGISTRATION: Please fill in details below and post to the BSHS Executive Secretary, 31 High Street, Stanford in the Vale, Faringdon, Oxon, SN7 8LH, U.K. I wish to register for Science Communication, Education and the History of Science (The registration fee includes morning and afternoon refreshments each day. Lunches at the Royal Society are also available, if pre-booked). Conference fee stlg45 (or for BSHS members stlg30 Student members: stlg15) stlg ___ Lunches (please tick) Weds stlg10 __Thurs stlg10 ___ _ stlg___. Total stlg ______ Accommodation in London for the nights of 11th and/or 12th July: Please tick if you wish to receive information about accommodation ___.. I enclose a cheque payable to The British Society for the History of Science, for the total sum of stlg______ / Please debit my VISA/MASTER card for the sum of stlg _______ Card no: ______ ______ ______ ______ Expiry date ___.. Signed ____. Date____. Title and Name in full: Institutional affiliation Address Telephone Email Details and a registration form will also be circulated with the BSHS Newsletter. *************************************************** Dr. Jeff Hughes Lecturer in History of Science & Technology CHSTM, Maths Tower, The University, Manchester. M13 9PL. UK Tel: 0161 275 5857; 07710 224 855 (m) Fax: 0161 275 5699 *************************************************** %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%