Successful Science Communication

by Bennett, David J.; Jennings, Richard C.

• ISBN13: 9781107003323
• ISBN10: 1107003326
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-11-21
• Publisher: Cambridge Univ Pr

Summary

In the 25 years since the 'Bodmer Report' kick-started the public understanding of science movement, there has been something of a revolution in science communication. However, despite the ever-growing demands of the public, policy-makers and the media, many scientists still find it difficult to successfully explain and publicise their activities or to understand and respond to people's hopes and concerns about their work. Bringing together experienced and successful science communicators from across the academic, commercial and media worlds, this practical guide fills this gap to provide a one-stop resource covering science communication in its many different forms. The chapters provide vital background knowledge and inspiring ideas for how to deal with different situations and interest groups. Entertaining personal accounts of projects ranging from podcasts, to science festivals, to student-run societies give working examples of how scientists can engage with their audiences and demonstrate the key ingredients in successful science communication.

Table of Contents

Authors' biographies

Foreword

Introduction: public engagement in an evolving science policy landscape

What it Helps to Know Beforehand

Deficits and dialogues: science communication and the public understanding of science in the UK

Explaining the world: communicating science through the ages

Science, truth, and ethics

The public's view of science

The common language of research

Not 100% sure? The 'public' understanding of risk

The ethos of science vs. ethics of science communication

Policy Makers, the Media and Public Interest Organisations

Research and public communication in EU policy and practice

Tackling the Climate Communication Challenge

Dealings with the media

Dealings with the U.S. media

Relations with public interest organisations: consumers

Relations with public interest organisations: patients and families

Relations with environmental organisations: a very personal story

What You Can Do and How To Do It

Building relations with the various groups

Finding the right words: how to shine in radio and television interviews

Nanotechnology and the media - front page or no story?

The power of the podcast: the Naked Scientists' story

The social web in science communication

Dealing with dilemmas and societal expectations: a company's response

Science festivals

Things to see and do: how scientific images work

The triple helix: the undergraduate student-run face of science communication

Public understanding of research: the Open Research Laboratory at the Deutsches Museum

'Imagine': a communication project putting life sciences in the spotlight

And Finally, Evaluating and Embedding Science Communication

Evaluating success: how to find out what worked (and what didn't)

Effectively embedding corporate science communication in academia: a second paradigm shift?

Index

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