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Science Communication: Opportunities and Challenges
Marina Joubert, Southern Science
Stellenbosch, 14 September 2009
Communicating science in SA
Milestones
Key players
Trends
Challenges
Milestones
• 1994
• 1996 White Paper on S&T
• 1998 Year of S&T
• 2003 SAASTA
Pioneers
Community of interested practitioners and researchers
Wellcome Trust Public Engagement workshop 2008
Role models …
Icons …
Science Centres
Science Cafés
Science cartoons
Science cartoons
Science cartoons
Science on air …
Encouraging trends
• Public and policy agenda• Demand for skills and expertise• Demand for research• Recognised by
– universities– science councils– new science agencies
National S&T Forum
• Recognition for science communicators
Academy of Science of SA
• Science for Society newsletter
• Quest magazine
Science and society
• Nature of science• Science culture• More research
Science and Policy
• Evidence-based
• Informed decisions
• Proving impact
• Tracking success
• Training & research
Scientists
• Skills & confidence• Support & “real world” help
• Incentives & recognition
Media – science journalism
• Training• Research• Editorial barriers
Science outreach
• Youth focus• Reaching adults?
Public engagement
• Open dialogue• Listening• Audiences• Going “upstream”
Emerging technologies
African partnerships
Capacity building
Distance, diversity, poverty …
Money
“DFID is one of the few donors that explicitly earmarks part of its research budget tocommunication”
Recommendation …
• Science communication training and support for science students
• Hands-on support for early career scientists and established researchers
• Catalysts at universities and science councils
• Funding policies dedicating funds to communication
The true test of research is whether people use it – for reference, for influence, and most
importantly, for change.
