COMMUNICATING SCIENCE TO THE ”(WO)MAN IN THE STREET”

INTRODUCTION TO DOCTORAL TRAINING UNIOGS

25.9.2015, PHD SATU RÄSÄNEN

Science communication

ContinuumScientific communication with peersPopularising science

M. Bucchi: Science and the Media. A continuity model, ”stages”

Erkki Karvonen 2010

M. Bucchi: Science and the Media. A continuity model, ”stages”

The traditional paradigm of science communication

Linear transfer model of communicationInformation transfered as such from the sender to

the receiver Deficit model

”Empty bucket” Strong hierarchy

Peer communication is most important

The critical paradigm of science communication

Communication is interaction, dialogue between all the stakeholders

Science contributes to the problems of the world and societyScience as a part of society

Public engagement in science and technology

Open access

Erkki Karvonen 2010

Science communication with peers

Science is self regulating, public regime Collegial: no hierarchy in knowledge Shared world view, mutual vocabulary and

terms No simplification is needed

What can the scientist contribute? Discussing, disagreeing with fellow scientists

Science communication with peers

Personal discussions Conferense presentations Posters Social media Peer reviewed articles / monographs

Popularizing science

Popular science communication: science as a part of society

To general public, but also to representatives of the other fields of science

To politicians and decicion makers Attitudes vary in different fields of science

Popularizing science

Newspaper and magazine articles, radio- and TV-programs

Public lectures, TED-talks

Blogs, Facebook, Twittertwo-way communication

Vocabulary, terms

Why popularize science?

To prevent hostility and distrust towards

science and scientists To show where the tax payers’ money are used To make science more appealing Well informed citizens raise the level of

discussion Economic advantage

Jane Gregory and Steve Miller (2000). Science in

public. Communication, culture, and credibility

Responsibility, necessity or priviledge to popularise?

Would I be the best expert?Do I dare to say something?

Do I want to have an impact?Idealism

Is it worth of time and effort?Expertise, career building

As a PhD student, you know about your topic more than 99,9 % of the public!

(Prime minister: ”I’d rather listen to a diplomat from the foreign ministry than to a university researcher”)

Science vs. media Paradox: “The time of research is measured as months

and years, the time of media as hours and minutes” (Mustajoki 2012, 45)

Scientist must follow GOOD SCIENTIFIC PRACTISE:”…honesty, caution and precision in research, recording data, analyses and presenting results as well as in assessing the results…”

Journalist follows THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR JOURNALIST Educated guess is well enough: appreciates brief and certain

answer

Science vs. media

Journalist wants an interesting, entertaining, humane story

Scientist wants to present the facts

At best a fruitful symbiosis!

Home work

Make a communications strategy to your PhD project!

To whom, where, when, how

In the end of your project, welcome to the course

Communicating science to the media, general public and decicion makers (1 cr)

- press release

Enjoy you PhD project!