I think BGTT is fairly high up there in terms of audience figures (albeit this is only an educated guess). And my favourite BBC science radio presenters, if they have the title of Dr., do not use it on the air but are still expert science communicators/presenters.
Using Gillian McKeith as an example would suggest that you don't need to bother with a PhD and can get away with telling lies instead to make your shows popular so I'm not sure it's an example we should follow! :)
--
Rhys Phillips
Lightning, Electrostatics & EMH
x4704
-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of scary boots
Sent: 12 March 2012 15:36
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Sci-com and the PhD
Hmm, okay, let me rephrase. You can do a 'bang goes the theory' or
radio lab style thing sans PhD, but for high-rolling audiences or
science interest it really helps to be able to call yourself Doctor.
As one Miss McKeith has shown us.
and yes, Francis, you can have opinions on 'hot topic' scientific
issues without an iota of understanding or data ('Now I'm no
scientist, but I know better than a global community of people who've
dedicated their lives to studying it about planetary temperature
fluctuations...') but most of the guys with staying power or a
specialism have their doctorates.
Or then again, maybe I'm just bitter..
On 12 March 2012 15:24, Phillips, Rhys <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> But yes, if you want to go on telly or the radio or guardian blogs whatever and opine about about science, you'll need a PhD. Noone wants to listen to an autodidactic oik.
>
> Well that's just not true. There are several TV and Radio science presenters who don't have PhD's - some don't even have science degrees at all - and are still very good (in my opinion) and successful presenters.
>
>
>
> --
> Rhys Phillips
> Lightning, Electrostatics & EMH
> x4704
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: psci-com: on public engagement with science [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of scary boots
> Sent: 12 March 2012 15:06
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Sci-com and the PhD
>
> It's kind of interesting trying to get a job in a lab about now. Given
> the recession, even PhDs are having a hard time finding jobs, so the
> market's kind of flooded. Although while you're looking, it is kinda
> funny seeing Job Centre folks try to deal with science people. 'You
> have a degree in what? And you're asking *me* for help?'
>
> But yes, if you want to go on telly or the radio or guardian blogs
> whatever and opine about about science, you'll need a PhD. Noone wants
> to listen to an autodidactic oik.
>
> Source: my own, unreliable, experience, as a Master Of Science
> struggling to find work in either sci or comm (currently comms
> &marketing)
>
> On 12 March 2012 10:20, Frank Norman <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> I wonder whether a good middle option would be to take a job in a lab for a year or two. That would a) give you some valuable bench experience that would stand you in good stead if you do decide to apply for a PhD later b) potentially give you opportunities to get involved in sci comms activities within the lab or institute.
>>
>> Frank
>>
>> At 20:44 10/03/2012, Caroline Grainger wrote:
>>
>>>Aside from the extra qualification, there are other sci comm related benefits gained from a PhD.
>>>If you use the time wisely, you'll probably come across lots of opportunities to massively expand your science communication experience. Especially if you choose a university that has a good reputation for its sci comm work - You can even persuade your university to fund your sci comm project ideas!
>>>If you end up in a job that isn't related (after all, we all need money!) you'll most likely struggle to find the time to do sci comm projects on the side.
>>>
>>>The downside to this is that you also have to do your PhD research..... which at times will be difficult, draining and horribly depressing. As many people have said; only do a PhD if you love doing research. It's quite different to a regular research job - your PhD project is more personal and more rides on it.
>>>
>>>I think my time as a PhD student was invaluable to my sci comm experience and I believe that experience is more important than the qualification itself.
>>>On Mar 10, 2012 6:37 PM, "Emily Pritchard" <<mailto:[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>>I have a PhD and am struggling to find a job in sci-comm. There just isn't that much out there at the moment - everything's being cut. One way to think about it is, in four years' time, when you have your PhD maybe the market will have recovered and maybe the government will be spending money again, and maybe there'll be more jobs. Or maybe not.
>>>
>>>On 10/03/2012 18:18, hephzia tagoe wrote:
>>>>I find my same in a similar dilemma. I have a Bsc and an MSc and yet I find opportunities in the sector are limited without a PhD. To do or not to do a PhD. From my research every successful scientist I have spoken to says only do one if you really want to and yet 95% of then have done one. There's a reason. The reality is your chances of getting the best out of your Scientific career is limited without one. My advise, do a PhD but at the right time. It's more about the skills you acquire from it.
>>>>
>>>>Hephzi
>>>>
>
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