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International collaboration in science communication: the
case of SciDev.Net
Science Communication Conference
King’s Place, London 15 May 2012
David Dickson, Editor, SciDev.Net
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www.scidev.net
Our premise:
The communication of accurate and accessible information about science and technology, and their contributions to innovation, is essential to the objectives of:
•achieving economic growth,
•reducing poverty, and
•enabling environmental sustainabil i ty .
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www.scidev.net
Policymakers at all levels need accurate, t imely and reliable information about role of science and technology in meeting development objectives.
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www.scidev.net
The public understanding of, and engagement in, S&T ensures open and democratic debate about the promises they offer – as well as their potentially negative consequences.
At the same t ime …
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www.scidev.net
The demand for both improved science communication and improved science communication skil ls is increasing rapidly across the developing world
As a result:
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www.scidev.net
• SciDev.Net is dedicated to helping achieve this.
• Producing the SciDev.Net website has made it essential to collaborate with science journalists and scientific authors across the developing world
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www.scidev.net
There is a challenge in making the need for a unified editorial approach compatible with cultural differences in attitudes to science
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www.scidev.net
In order to ensure long-term benefits, we are keen to help build indigenous capacity in science communication in developing countries
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www.scidev.net
We do this firstly through capacity-building material on the website. For example:
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www.scidev.net
Secondly through capacity-building workshops and internships
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Capacity-bui lding workshops
These are intended to help build capacity in developing countries to report accurately on science and technology and their contributions to development.
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www.scidev.net
Measurement challenges :
Evaluation of improved capacity is carried out through personal questionnaires.
These are addressed to:1. Users2. Freelance contributors
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www.scidev.net
Assessing output (in terms of articles posted) and usage (in terms of articles accessed) can be done using website statistics
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www.scidev.net
Assessing impact of website output is much more difficult because of the challenge of demonstrating causality, and is done primarily on an anecdotal basis.
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• Improved science communication is essential for development and requires international collaboration between individuals and organisations.
• But evaluating this impact in precise terms remains a significant challenge, due to the diffusiveness of the message, the variety of audiences, and the lack of unique impacts.
Conclusion:
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www.scidev.net
www.scidev.net
For more information, and to register to receivefree weekly email alert , visit us at
London, 15 May 2012
For information about practical guides, go to:
www.scidev.net/en/practicalguides