The Stars in Our Eyes Representations of the Square Kilometre Array Telescope in the South African Media

by Gastrow, Michael

• ISBN13: 9780796925473
• ISBN10: 079692547X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2018-07-01
• Publisher: HSRC Press
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Summary

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope is set to become the largest telescope on Earth and the largest science project in Africa. From September 2011 to August 2012, the SKA featured regularly in the South African media. In The Stars in Our Eyes, author Michael Gastrow dissects the representation of the SKA in the South African media in the period under discussion. Who were the main actors in this unfolding narrative? Who held the stage and who were marginalized? Where did gatekeeping occur and why? What was the relationship between journalists and scientists? How did the story unfold in the social media as opposed to the print media? Drawing on mass communication theory and science communication theory, The Stars in Our Eyes addresses critical gaps in the literature on science communication, particularly with respect to science communication in an African context.

Author Biography

Michael Gastrow is a Senior Research Specialist in the Education and Skills Development research program of the Human Sciences Research Council in South Africa. His research interest is in skills development, innovation, the public understanding of science, and science communication. He has extensive experience in policy-oriented research at the regional, national, and international levels, having conducted research for organizations such as the IDRC, OECD, European Commission, Department of Higher Education and Training, and the National Research Foundation. He is the author of twelve peer-reviewed scientific papers and the co-author of Linking Universities and Marginalized Communities.