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Presentation at Workshop organzied by COSTI and Sci Dev Net on 27 May 2014: Mainstreaming Science and Technology and Innovation for Public communication
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Science Communication in Sri Lanka: A Critical Analysis
Prof Hiran AmarasekeraUniversity of Sri Jayewardenepura
Communication by Arahat Mahinda to King Dewanampiyathissa – 2500 years ago
• "0 great King, the birds of the air and the beasts of the land have has equal right to live and more about in any part of the land as thou. The land belongs to the people and all living beings; thou art only the guardian of it"
Science communication Two types
• Communication between scientists (e.g. through scientific journals)
• Presenting science-related topics to non-experts (Popularization) – by professional scientists – by professional communicators (Science
Journalists)
Communication between Scientists
• Scientific conferences, symposia, workshops etc.
• Scientific journals (or magazines)• Lecture series in scientific institutions
Science conferences, Symposia
Many events but materials are not published (on the web)
Science conferences, Symposia
• Forestry and Environment Symposium since 1995
Science Peer-reviewed Journals
Only NSF Journal is indexed in Science Citation Index
How to publish when we do not have information?
How to get world ranking when we do not publish?
How to get ranking?
How to get ranking?
2011 –12 Subject areas in Sri Lanka
2011 –12 Subject areas in Singapore
Need to put more offline data online
Need to put more offline data online
Who - Sri Lankan scientists and science writers
• Dr. E .W Adikaram (Editor- "Naweena Vidya Sagarawa")
• Dr. M.W Karunananda,• Dr. Buddhadasa Bodinayaka (editor- "Vidya
sagarawa"),• Danasiri Bodinayaka (editor-''Vidunena", Lake
house Publication)• Prof. Nandadasa Kodagoda (UNESCO Kalinga Price
winner)
Who - Sri Lankan scientists and science writers
• Bandusela de Silva (edited• Late Dr: Upali M. Senanayaka,• Athula Manchanayaka• Dr. William de Alwis• K. Ariyasinghe
Who - Sri Lankan scientists and science writers
• Edwin Ariyadasa,• Perci Jayamanna• D. Amarasinghe• R.D.J, Athapaththu• Late Mahinda Ranaweera• Benadikt Dodampegama • Prof Carlo Fonseka
• Science Communication - Yesterday, Today an Tomorrow by Dr Jayantha Wattavidanage. Vidurawa 27 (1)
Science Communicators
Three forms of science communication
• Traditional journalism;• Live or face-to-face events,• Online interactions
• Bultitude, K. (2011) “Why and How of Science Communication”
Traditional Journalism
• Newspapers• Magazines• TV• Radio
Traditional Journalism in Sri Lanka
• "Vidya dipa".• "Vidusara" from 1987, was edited by Anura
Siriwardana and now by Rajendra Kulasinghe • ''Vidurawa" from 1976 by National Science
Foundation
Vidusara
• Launched in 1987 by Upali Newspapers
Traditional Journalism in Sri Lanka
• "Nawayugaya"• Dr. E.W Adikaram edited the science bulletin for" Lankadeepa" weekly, and later it was edited by Thusitha Mallalaseakara.• "Wijaya", "Mihira" and womens new papers; "• Tharuni", " Sirikatha" and " Nawaliya".• "Samudura", which is distributed with the "Lakbima" newspaper
How to get to TV prime time news?Eg As in Rice
1. Basic science and specialized Newspapers(University websites?)
2. National News Papers
3. TV News
Face to face events
• Public lectures, Orations • School Science days • Science Centres and Museums• Debates & dialogue• Science Festivals
Public Lectures, orations
• Very few attend• Routine events by
professional organizations
• No media publicity• Outcome not
published
School Science Days
• Very popular but …………• Topics selected by teachers and students
based on global issues
Science centers and Museums
Science @ Exhibitions
• Dayata Kirula 2014
NSF Science and Engineering Fair
Need to promote in School science days
Communicating to School ChildrenScience camps
School Science Program by NSFScience projects
Universities organize mega cultural events
Community events by University students
• U of Kelaniya students donate chemicals and practical knowledge to rural schools
Online
• Internet sites incl. online journalism• Blogs, wikis and podcasting• Facebook, twitter and other social media• Citizen Science movement - Involving public
directly in research, usually via online.
Online - issues
• Visibility is less• Many sites not updates• Universities need to publish research news• Current topics are missing
Visibility of Science on Web
Visibility of Science on Web
Citizen Science
• Involving public directly in research, usually via online
• For data gathering exercises or • Data analysis
• Eg- Bird watchers reporting bird observations – U of Colombo
• Gradual shift in policy discourse from keywords such as ‘popularisation’ and ‘public understanding of science’
• to ‘dialogue’, ‘engagement’ and ‘participation’.
• Bucchi, M & Trench, B (eds) (2008) Handbook of Public Communication of Science and Technology (London & New York: Routledge).
Current issues (Topics)
CKDu
Dengue in Sri Lanka
Ratupaswala wate acidity
Wallapatta
Media: Is there a place for science?