Thanks Craig,
Do you not think it would be a good idea to do more than just publish this
kind of thing on your website? How about issuing a press release to counter
all those which suggest that it is "normal" for people in modern societies to
be worried about and mistrustful of science. The more evidence that such
beliefs are normal, the more people will adhere to these norms, creating an
unfortunate spiral.
There is plenty of evidence to support the idea that the measurement of
"attitudes" is a very incomplete way of determining what a group of people
really think. It is also important to take into account their intentions and
their behaviour. Journalists and opinion pollsters clearly aren't aware of
this - or they just don't care - but government agencies and the scientific
community should be more sophisticated. If the public were really "worried
about science and technology", surely they would be doing more - or at least
intending to do more.
Lesley
>===== Original Message From "psci-com: on the public understanding of
science" <[log in to unmask]> =====
>Hi Lesley and Psci-com,
>
>We absolutely agree that these are just the sorts of questions that need
>addressing and have yet to do so in such a specific manner as you
>suggest. However, we've recently carried out a literature review on
>public engagement, which will be published on our website soon. One of
>the main conclusions we draw from the review is the need to go beyond
>stated opinions and attitudes to understand the more complex reasoning
>based on values, what governs the "need to know" (which you highlight)
>and how people manage conflicting beliefs and information.
>
>I'll email the list once the review is on our website.
>
>Best wishes,
>
>Craig
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: psci-com: on the public understanding of science
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lesley Newson
>Sent: 21 March 2005 17:29
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] OST and CST reports (More info please, BA)
>
>
>Dear Craig and List,
>
>It seems to me that the results of the MORI poll simply show that the
>public has a feeling of general disquiet. This is probably the result
>of lobbying and publicity campaigns by the various organisations who are
>in the business of putting over the message that "scientific advancement
>is worrying".
>
>It's easy to be worried and just grumble but are members of the public
>worried enough to actually make an effort to investigate what goes on in
>the world of science and technology?
>
>Perhaps the BA should sponsor MORI to do a poll to find out what people
>say they would be willing to do. Would they... ...watch a series of
>BBC2 documentaries exploring the issue that concerns them. ...attend a
>public meeting in their area at which a scientist involved in the issue
>will speak and answer questions? ...take part in a webcast on the issue?
>..attend night classes in science and technology issues during which
>they will be expected to learn enough science to understand the issues?
>..would they read books or pamphlets on the issues if they were at the
>library or distributed free? ...they only begin to learn about an issue
>once it afffects them personally (such as when deciding whether to
>vaccinate their baby)? ...visit a lab or place where new techology is
>being applied?
>
>Maybe the BA has already done this. If so, can you let us know the
>results?
>
>Lesley
>
>
>>===== Original Message From "psci-com: on the public understanding of
>science" <[log in to unmask]> =====
>>Apologies if the link below didn't work - try
>>http://www.the-ba.net/culturechange
>><http://www.the-ba.net/culturechange> instead.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Craig
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: psci-com: on the public understanding of science
>>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Craig Brierley
>> Sent: 21 March 2005 16:32
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: [PSCI-COM] The BA's response to the OST and CST reports
>>
>>
>>
>> The list seems to have been somewhat silent on the recent
>>OST/MORI survey and the report by CST, so list members might be
>>interested to see the BA's response...
>>
>> The BA has today called for a culture change in science, with
>>recognition and reward for scientists engaging with the public, and a
>>climate of greater openness and public consultation on science issues.
>>
>> The BA has welcomed the publication during National Science Week
>
>>of two key reports: the survey on 'Science in Society' (carried out by
>>MORI on behalf of the Office of Science and Technology) and 'Policy
>>through dialogue' (the report by the Council for Science and
>>Technology).
>>
>> In particular, the BA has highlighted four key areas from the
>>two publications:
>>
>> 1. There is evidence of a real public 'want' for greater
>>and enhanced involvement with science and scientists (49% of adults
>>hear too little information on science and 79% say that scientists
>>should spend more time discussing the implications of their work
>with
>>the public);
>>
>> 2. Three in four people think scientists should listen more
>>to what ordinary people think, and 31% feel strongly about
>this;
>>
>>
>> 3. 81% of adults feel the public should be consulted on
>>decisions about scientific developments, though nine out of ten
>>people know little or nothing about public consultation in
>>science and some view it as simply an exercise in PR with no obvious
>>link between the outcomes of dialogue and if or how this has informed
>>policymaking
>>
>> 4. The survey highlights an increase in public concern over
>>the last two years regarding the commercialisation of science.
>>
>> Against this backdrop, the BA has urged action on two fronts:
>>
>> * a culture change in which it is part of a scientists'
>>normal professional activity to explain and discuss his or her work
>in
>>public forums, and in which scientists' involvement in engaging with
>>the public is given due recognition and reward by scientists
>>themselves and their funders
>>
>> * an increasing climate of openness and responsiveness
>>among policy-makers to public input that complements and extends
>>science-based evidence, and an increased capacity nationally for
>the
>>public to engage with scientists and policy-makers on issues
>that
>>interest or concern them.
>>
>> 'At the BA, our single-minded focus is public engagement,' says
>>Roland Jackson, Chief Executive of the BA. 'We exist to provide
>>opportunities for scientists and lay audiences to connect face to face
>>through our innovative Science in Society programme or via the media
>>through the vast coverage generated from well-established cultural
>>initiatives such as the BA Festival of Science and National Science
>>Week.
>>
>> 'In recognition of its work, the BA has been awarded a new
>>Sciencewise project grant from the Government for the citizen x-change.
>
>>This will provide a policy-focussed approach to engagement that will
>>give non-scientists and scientists an opportunity for a voice on
>>science and technology, as well as other issues of concern.'
>>
>> Detailed information about the BA's recommendations can be found
>
>>on the BA website at www.the-ba.net/culturechange
>><file://www.the-ba.net/culturechange> .
>> ______________________________________
>> The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is
>>the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation dedicated to
>>connecting science with people, so that science and its applications
>>become accessible to all. To subscribe and receive regular updates on
>>events, activities and news from the BA email 'subscribe' to
>>[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> or click here:
>>subscribe to free e-news
>><mailto:[log in to unmask]> .
>>
>> Craig Brierley
>> Press Officer
>> the BA
>> Wellcome Wolfson Building
>> 165 Queen's Gate
>> London
>> SW7 5HE
>> T: +44 (0)20 7019 4947
>> F: +44 (0)870 770 7102
>> M: 07957 468218
>> Website: www.the-ba.net <file://www.the-ba.net>
>>
>>
>>
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>Lesley Newson
>School of Psychology
>University of Exeter
>Washington Singer Laboratories
>Perry Road
>Exeter, UK EX4 4QG
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School of Psychology
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Washington Singer Laboratories
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