I did say "don't see the point or cannot manage it".
I did not say "don't see the point AND cannot manage it", although there are
plenty of those out there.
There are even some who do see the point and can manage it, but these are
the rarest.
You seem to be agreeing with me when you say that your lot see the point,
but cannot manage it, hence throwing a journalist at them.
As someone who has done a lot of that, I endorse this approach. It works!
I that case, though, it is probably down to the managers to see the need and
to bring in the skills. Industry probably finds that easier than
universities, where academics really do not like being told what to do. At
least, that is the view expressed to me recently by one VC.
Were the "couldn't care less researchers" from industry or academia?
MK
-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Phillips, Rhys
Sent: 2012-October-05 13:48
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Plain English summaries of scientific papers
I'm a researcher, albeit in industry, not academia.
> It usually proves futile because researchers don't see the point, or
cannot manage it.
I think this is a bit stereotypical. I know of some examples where
researchers definitely see the point but can't quite do it themselves
and so have got journalists to do the lay summary for them.
That being said, it was clear at some recent conferences I attended,
that many researchers presenting their work didn't even care about how
they presented it to their peers, nevermind a public or lay audience.
--
Rhys Phillips
Lightning, Electrostatics & EMH
x4704
-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Michael Kenward
Sent: 04 October 2012 22:17
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Plain English summaries of scientific papers
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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