what is “science communication” anyway?€¦ · what is “science communication” anyway?...

Comm 5660, Science Communication WorkshopCornell UniversityClass notes

3/7/2019

Copyright © 2019 by Bruce V. Lewenstein 1

What is “science communication” anyway?

Bruce V. LewensteinDepartments of Communication and

of Science & Technology StudiesCornell University

Lab/Field Formal paper

Preprints

Meetings Policy documents,etc.

Textbooks

Mass media

Is this science communication?

Grants


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Or this?

Lab/field work

Public discourse

Meetings

Journals

Preprints

Research news

Documentaries

Governmentreports

News media

Museums

General books

Entertainment media(Movies, sitcoms, games)

Textbooks

Policy documentsSeminars

Reference works

Grant proposals

E‐mail

Patents

Websites

Industry

Blogs

Park visitorcenters

Artwork

From Lewenstein, B. V. (2011). Experimenting with Engagement. Commentary on “Taking Our Own Medicine: On an Experiment in Science Communication.” Science and Engineering Ethics, 17(4), in press. doi:10.1007/s11948-011-9328-5

Public understanding of science (PUS)

Public engagement in/with science and technology (PEST)

Public Learning and Understanding of Science (PLUS)

Learning science in informal environments (LSIE or ISLE)

Outreach

or…?


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What the science community calls it


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So…

Where does a “science communication workshop” (this course!) fit into this discussion?

Skills and applications…yes

But also part of an ongoing discussion about…“engagement” … “ISE” … “communication” …

From Encountering Science in America (American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2019)


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Storksdieck, Martin, Bevan, Bronwyn, Risien, Julie, Nilson, Roberta, & Wills, Kellie. (2018). Charting the intersection of Informal STEM Education and Science Communication: Results of a social network study. Washington, DC: CAISE (Center for Advancement of Informal Science Education).

Crowley, Kevin. (2018). Are the fields of Informal Science Education and Science Communication adjacent or connected? A bibliometric study of research journals from 2012 to 2016. Washington, DC: CAISE (Center for Advancement of Informal Science Education).


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What is public engagement?


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Models of PUS/PEST/PLUS/etc.

Deficit model

Public engagement model


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Deficit model

Longstanding concerns about lack of public knowledge

More knowledge is better (“fill the deficit”)– Measures of scientific knowledge

– Best known: biennial NSF survey of public knowledge and attitudes

Many excellent educational materials produced

Deficit model


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0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

1988 1990 1992 1995 1997 1999 2001 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016

Per

cen

t co

rrec

t

Scientific literacy questions (correct answers)

Center hot Elect<atom BigBang ContDrift Earth/Sun Antibiotics HumansEvolve

NSB

, Sci

ence

& E

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200

6


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Attentive

Interested

Residual

Revised Deficit: Contextual model


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Contextual model


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Public Engagement Model

Public engagement in science

Consensus conferences

Citizen juries

Deliberative technology assessment

Science shops


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Builds on lay knowledge/expertise

Public participation


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Public participation

Deficit model

Contextual model

Focus: Information delivery Focus: Engaging the public

Public engagement model

Lay knowledgemodel


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Deficit model

Contextual model

Lay knowledgemodel

Public engagementmodel

Summary

Models– Deficit model: rational, “facts,” hierarchical

» Contextual model: social psychological

– Public engagement: political vs. educational modes

» Lay knowledge model: deeply contextual, questions location of expertise and power

But we still have a long way to go


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Does Sasquatch live on Mars?

Does Sasquatch live on Mars?


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Conclusion

Public engagement is good, it's powerful, it's important for democracy.

But be careful what you ask for


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what is “science communication” anyway?€¦ · what is “science communication” anyway?...

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