You will, Suzanne, also be pleased by the OST's response to the MPs. (See
earlier messages.)
"We believe that OST's role through providing both funding and leadership is
to
identify and promote good practice in science communication, to undertake
periodic
studies such as public attitude surveys that assist the science
communication community
to better understand their audiences and target their activities, and to
assist the diverse
science communication community to develop collaborations, networks and
partnerships."
Things seem to be shaping up rather well.
MK
-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on the public understanding of science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Suzanne King
Sent: 20 December 2002 12:01
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Not happy with the BA study
Dear all
People Science & Policy Ltd would say this wouldn't we but the Geological
Society's response to the BA's report also says:
"In the Society's view the only activity recommended that would be of any
real value is the BA's suggestion that the OST fund regular surveys of the
public to determine their attitudes to science and its practitioners in as
much detail as possible. The OST/Wellcome report 'Science and the Public'
was a landmark in understanding public attitudes to science, and a salutary
(and highly positive) lesson to scientists about their position in society.
It needs to be repeated at regular intervals, and refined, because if the
message finally gets through, it will help stop a major problem with science
's communication - namely, the unfounded view among scientists that everyone
hates them, and the wholly unhelpful dog-in-manger attitude to the media
that this creates."
And:
"Science is interesting to the public whenever events dictate a news agenda
that impinges upon scientific subjects. To that extent, and that extent
only, can most people be expected to care about science." Education is
different.
Merry Xmas and a happy New Year.
Suzanne and Mark
Dr Suzanne King
Director
People Science & Policy Ltd
Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9BB
Direct line: 020 7554 8636 Mobile: 07961 149 558
www:peoplescienceandpolicy.com
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-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on the public understanding of science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of MK
Sent: 20 December 2002 09:53
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Not happy with the BA study
One organisation is underwhelmed by the BA study:
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/template.cfm?name=1055
To quote: "It is perhaps not surprising that when a body like the British
Association is asked to suggest a range of actions, its answers will be
couched in terms of those things that the organization in question tends to
do. This lies at the root of what we perceive to be the problem with this
document. The question is - will the mapping exercises, conferences and
consultations outlined ... produce practical answers, or are they more
likely to merely subsidise further the growing Public Understanding of
Science (PUS) industry?"
And another bit:
"Much of the PUS industry however has become more part of the problem than
the solution. While the people who really do the work (journalists, public
relations officers and a small number of media-savvy scientists) have been
getting on with things largely unaided, a second group of people has been
absorbing a large slice of institutional attention and government money to
little effect."
And a Happy Christmas to all my reader.
MK
_______________________________________________________________________
Michael Kenward / Phone: +44 (0)1444 400568 Fax: 401064
/
Science Writer & Stuff / Genetically modified words for sale
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