Alison As this is the first posting I've been moved to write to onlist,
few details about myself :
I'm an ex BBC Science Radio Chief Producer and Editor, BBC World Service
Radio Science. Now a freelance writer, media trainer and tutor in writing
skills, Birkbeck College Diploma in Science Communication.
Why is it "good" or "important" to communicate science? In no particular
order, just as they occur -
1) Scientific investigation and creative thought can be expensive. If the
public don't understand the long term aims, why should they fund it? No
good the scientists just saying "it's a good idea/project." Convince me
why I should spend money on it in competition with hospitals, education,
defence, roads, national parks, the police force, bin collection, etc etc.
2) New areas of science bring new possibilities people might be keen for,
or might not like or are afraid of. What is it OK to do, what not? How can
anyone contribute to the debate with no understanding, not just of what's
involved now, (process) but what it's hoped science will deliver?
3) Lots of people find science exciting when they understood its aims and
the questions are being asked. Don't exclude them by being too clever. The
longer scientists converse solely in exclusive language within their own
small spheres, the broader the gulf that opens. This is not just between
"the public" but between small groups with expertise and other scientists.
Many synergies may be missed because of this.
4) If science and scientific process are not seen to be open, people will
fear scientists have something to hide or have some ulterior motive or
hidden agenda.
5) As long as there is room for debate, this should be clear. Equally,
when the weight of evidence is pointing one way, this should be clear. If
we do not communicate processes and debate, how can the public understand,
or have faith in, scientific "advice"?
5) A scientist should be able to explain what they are doing and why to a
generally audience, or to an audience of scientists who are not
specialist in their field. If they don't have a grasp on this, are they
guilty of "not being able to see the wood for the trees"? Is jargon and
obtuseness a camouflage or something to hide behind?
6) The thing that makes us human is our ability to communicate. Science is
part of human endeavour. We shodul be able to communicate this to the
broader community in order for it to be part of the agenda of that
community.
Just a few thoughts.
Ruth Linton
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rebecca Todd" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, May 23, 2003 5:07 PM
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Why Communicate Science?
> Hello Alison
>
> A welcome distraction on a Friday afternoon....
>
> You have hit the nail on the head for me and I suspect you have asked a
> question that some people find quite hard to answer, especially on-list!
I
> have spent quite some time pondering it in one form or another. I, like
you,
> set out with the intention of working in the "PUS"/"PEST" field as it was
a
> concept that I strongly believed in. I went into pharmaceutical PR
because
> I thought it would be an excellent communications training ground from
which
> to move into more "pure" science communications.
>
> Whether there is a case for trying to increase
> understanding/awareness/engagement in science for sciences sake is a good
> question. I suspect there are better cases for people having a good
> understanding of topics other than science, finances for example, in order
> to improve the quality of their lives. Although, that in itself doesn't
mean
> that science shouldn't bother. Yet, even as an ex-academic scientist, I do
> wonder whether there is something rather self-centred and arrogant about
the
> rather evangelical assertion that everyone SHOULD understand and support
> science, even when it is not particularly relevant to them.
>
> The reality is that you will always be able to talk to people who are
> interested already (which is important in itself) and when those who
aren't
> interested need to find out, they will do so. However, it is important
that
> all people can easily find reliable information when they want to, not
just
> the web literate or those living in the south-east! In order for science
to
> be adequately and accurately represented in society, it is vital that
> scientists communicate with the media effectively (as was illustrated by
the
> recent ESRC study) and are adequately represented in political circles.
>
> Many of the "PUS"/"PEST" bodies are engaged in excellent activities of
this
> nature, but, to me, there is a fine but important line between ensuring
> science is well-represented in society and trying to proactively increase
> understanding/engagement. I suspect that people attempting the latter are
> liable to end up banging their heads against a brick wall! Whether there
is
> a good case for trying, I would also be interested to hear!
>
> I suppose this means that I haven't found an adequate answer to "why"
yet -
> do let me know if you get a good one!
>
> Regards
>
> Rebecca
>
> Rebecca Todd
> Associate Management Consultant
> WestawayGillis Ltd
> Tel: 01494 470763
> Fax: 01494 472498
> Email: [log in to unmask]
> **********************
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>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: psci-com: on the public understanding of science
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Alison Rivett
> Sent: 23 May 2003 16:04
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [PSCI-COM] Why Communicate Science?
>
>
> Dear BIG-Chatters and PSCI-Commers,
>
> apologies for cross posting and if this topic has already been discussed
> before. A somewhat philosophical inquiry for a friday afternoon...
>
> I am in the process of trying to find myself a job in the area of 'public
> awareness of science'. In the course of my cv-writing and application
> form-filling
> I have found myself frequently writing the phrase "I believe that
> encouraging
> people's interest in science is very important" (or something similar).
>
> As many people on these lists spend their days doing this very thing I
> thought
> i would canvass opinion as to WHY they think that it is an important and
> worthwhile thing to do. I have my own thoughts on the subject, but i
would
> be very interested indeed to know what everyone else thinks.
>
> Cheers!
>
> Alison.
>
> PS. I promise not to pass anyone else's ideas off as my own without
adequate
> recompense!
>
>
> -------------------------
> Alison Rivett
> [log in to unmask]
> -------------------------
>
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