Good luck.
I, and many others, have been plugging this sort of thing for years. It usually proves futile because researchers don't see the point, or cannot manage it.
If my memory isn't completely shot, Mark Dyball, of this parish, was also an early player within this domain. In a minute of madness he commissioned me to write a guide for the wider scientific community. It had some tips on this sort of activity, and why it matters.
Going Public – An introduction to communicating science, engineering and technology
Now probably lost in the depths of the various archived DTI, BERR, DIUS, BIS websites, I may be able to find a copy in my disorganised heap of PDF files.
The first challenge is to persuade them that they need to do it. (Don’t Research Council grants require something like this?) Then they need to be taught how to do it.
MK
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Neil Stoker
Sent: 2012-October-04 17:22
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [PSCI-COM] Plain English summaries of scientific papers
Dear all
In the Science For All report from 2010, one Action Point was:
------
2.3 Provide accessible information on the sciences (including lay research summaries) via a single web portal
- ensure that all scientific research papers with any public interest dimension have a plain English summary giving context and implications, for public and media consumption
------
I'm thinking of doing something towards this in my institution, or more broadly, and am looking for information about initiatives, practice, experience, supporting research, and general discussions on this topic.
Any comments or information gratefully received.
Thanks
Neil Stoker.
-
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