Imagining science.27s publics Science communication

students explain science projects visitors. susanna hornig promotes message can meaningfully engage science, without going researchers do.

many criticisms of public understanding of science movement have emphasized thing calling public of (unhelpful) black box. approaches public changed move away public understanding of science. science communication researchers , practitioners showcase desire listen non-scientists acknowledging awareness of fluid , complex nature of (post/late) modern social identities. @ least, people use plurals: publics or audiences. editor of public understanding of science put in special issue on publics:

we have moved old days of deficit frame , thinking of publics monolithic viewing publics active, knowledgeable, playing multiple roles, receiving shaping science. (einsiedel, 2007: 5)

however, einsiedel goes on suggest both views of public monolithic in own way; both choose declare called public is. public understanding of science might have ridiculed publics ignorance, alternative public engagement science , technology romanticizes publics participatory instincts, intrinsic morality or simple collective wisdom. susanna hornig priest (2009) concludes in recent introduction essay on science’s contemporary audiences, job of science communication might non-scientists feel not excluded opposed included; can join in if want, rather there necessity spend lives engaging.

the process of quantifiably surveying public opinion of science largely associated public understanding of science movement (some unfairly). in us, jon miller name associated such work , known differentiating between identifiable ‘attentive’ or ‘interested’ publics (that science fans) , not care science , technology. miller’s work questioned whether american public had following 4 attributes of scientific literacy:

knowledge of basic textbook scientific factual knowledge
an understanding of scientific method
appreciated positive outcomes of science , technology
rejected superstitious beliefs, such astrology or numerology

in respects, john durant’s work surveying british public applied similar ideas miller. however, more concerned attitudes science , technology, rather how knowledge people had. looked @ public confidence in knowledge, considering issues such gender of ticking don’t know boxes. can see aspects of approach, more public engagement science , technology influenced one, reflected within eurobarometer studies of public opinion. these have been running since 1973 monitor public opinion in member states, aim of helping preparation of policy (and evaluation of policy). @ host of topics, not science , technology defence, euro, enlargement of european union, , culture. eurobarometer’s recent study of europeans’ attitudes climate change example. focuses on respondents’ subjective level of information ; asking personally, think informed or not about…? rather checking people knew.