Science and Public PolicyScience and Public Policy

Dr. Karen E. DillLenoir-Rhyne College

North Carolina, United States

Dr. Karen E. DillLenoir-Rhyne College

North Carolina, United States

How do science and politics interact?

How do science and politics interact?

Do scientists have a social responsibility to policy makers?Do politicians suggest scientific

Do scientists have a social responsibility to policy makers?Do politicians suggest scientificDo politicians suggest scientific agendas that are appropriate?Do politicians suggest scientific agendas that are appropriate?

A Social

Public

Business

Issue

Scientists/Experts

Politicians

Event Attracts AttentionEvent Attracts Attention

Radio personality Don Imus makes racial slur about R t U i it

Radio personality Don Imus makes racial slur about R t U i itRutgers University TeamPublic outcry; his advertisers respond to public; he is fired

Rutgers University TeamPublic outcry; his advertisers respond to public; he is fired

Public DialoguePublic Dialogue

Argument: Behavior should be tolerated because Black rap

i t i

Argument: Behavior should be tolerated because Black rap

i t imusic contains sexist and racist language

music contains sexist and racist language

From Imus to Industry: The Business of Stereotypes and Degrading Images

From Imus to Industry: The Business of Stereotypes and Degrading Images

US House subcommittee on commerce, trade

d

US House subcommittee on commerce, trade

dand consumer protectionCongressman Rush (Illinois) calls hearing

and consumer protectionCongressman Rush (Illinois) calls hearing

Congressional HearingCongressional Hearing

Panel 1 - CEOs from Universal, Viacom, Warner, Radio1, Take II Interactive

Panel 1 - CEOs from Universal, Viacom, Warner, Radio1, Take II InteractivePanel 2- Rap music starsPanel 3 - Academics and AdvocatesCongresspersons, Public

Panel 2- Rap music starsPanel 3 - Academics and AdvocatesCongresspersons, Public

Sending MessagesSending Messages

Musicians/CEOs-Free SpeechCongress (Public) -

Musicians/CEOs-Free SpeechCongress (Public) -Lyrics problematic. Can you do better?Academics/Advocates-Damaging Effects, call for Governmental Help

Lyrics problematic. Can you do better?Academics/Advocates-Damaging Effects, call for Governmental Help

Stereotypes

Public

Business

ypViolence

Scientists/Experts

Politicians

Issues of PerspectiveIssues of PerspectivePublic understanding of research

Motivated to disbelieve behavior is damagingMedia Psychology-Believe serious damage doesn’t come from trivial causesDifficulty interpreting scientific concepts (like

Public understanding of researchMotivated to disbelieve behavior is damagingMedia Psychology-Believe serious damage doesn’t come from trivial causesDifficulty interpreting scientific concepts (likeDifficulty interpreting scientific concepts (like cause)

Governmental understanding of researchTreat research findings like poll dataDifficulty interpreting scientific concepts (like cause and effect)

Business-Financial influenceMotivated by own financial interest

Difficulty interpreting scientific concepts (like cause)

Governmental understanding of researchTreat research findings like poll dataDifficulty interpreting scientific concepts (like cause and effect)

Business-Financial influenceMotivated by own financial interest

IssuesIssues

Public outcry drives interest in issue

Events->Media Attention

Politicians

Public outcry drives interest in issue

Events->Media Attention

PoliticiansPoliticiansDuty to ServeGet Elected$ Business

AcademicsAdvocacyResearch Support

PoliticiansDuty to ServeGet Elected$ Business

AcademicsAdvocacyResearch Support

ConclusionsConclusions

Common IssuesDifferent PerspectivesGood communication is critical

Common IssuesDifferent PerspectivesGood communication is critical

Issue: Academics not trained as advocatesInterest from public, government, business, and experts

Different agendas, but commonalitiesMedia play a role

Issue: Academics not trained as advocatesInterest from public, government, business, and experts

Different agendas, but commonalitiesMedia play a role