Dear Emanuella,
Many years of experience in Britain has shown that passing legislation in the
attempt to popularise something usually has the opposite effect. In Britain,
there are policies in place in the research funding bodies that oblige
scientists to disseminate the results of their funded research to the public
as well as other scientists. We also have policies in place regarding the
teaching of science in schools.
However, this does not appear to be working. Enrollment in science courses at
university is less than the government would like and, I think, steadily
decreasing. It might, of course, declined more steeply without these measures
but there is no evidence to support this.
I'm sure other list members can give more details.
Lesley
>===== Original Message From "psci-com: on public engagement with science"
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>Dear Listmembers,
>
>I work at the Ministry of Science and Technology of Brazil, in the
>Department of Popularization and Diffusion of Science and Technology,
>which integrates the Secretary for Social Inclusion.
>
>I am writing in the regard of the director of the Department, Mr. Ildeu de
>Castro Moreira, who is also a member of this list. He has been discussing
>with our Minister of Science and Technology about the possibility of
>implementing a law of Popularization of Science in Brazil. Then, in order
>to subsidize these meetings, we ask you all, if possible, to send us this
>kind of legislation that it may exist in your country.
>
>A Law of Popularization of Science is relevant to our country first to
>stablish policies of approaching the scientific community to the general
>public, second to define the society and communication means
>responsibility and lastly, to raise funds to invest on popularization.
>
>
>Thankfully,
>Emanuella Jaguar
>
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Lesley Newson
School of Psychology
University of Exeter
Washington Singer Laboratories
Perry Road
Exeter, UK EX4 4QG
Website: http://www.people.ex.ac.uk/ln202
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