How scientists should communicate with laymen - SCI-ART LAB2024-03-28T12:43:28Zhttps://kkartlab.in/forum/topics/how-scienitsts-should-communicate-with-laymen?groupUrl=some-science&commentId=2816864%3AComment%3A110484&groupId=2816864%3AGroup%3A80038&feed=yes&xn_auth=notag:kkartlab.in,2015-09-04:2816864:Comment:1302622015-09-04T04:50:38.011ZDr. Krishna Kumari Challahttps://kkartlab.in/profile/DrKrishnaKumariChalla
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</p> tag:kkartlab.in,2015-08-10:2816864:Comment:1297062015-08-10T03:22:37.735ZDr. Krishna Kumari Challahttps://kkartlab.in/profile/DrKrishnaKumariChalla
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</p> tag:kkartlab.in,2015-07-28:2816864:Comment:1295642015-07-28T05:13:23.097ZDr. Krishna Kumari Challahttps://kkartlab.in/profile/DrKrishnaKumariChalla
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</p> A major survey has gauged the…tag:kkartlab.in,2015-02-17:2816864:Comment:1243192015-02-17T02:15:26.794ZDr. Krishna Kumari Challahttps://kkartlab.in/profile/DrKrishnaKumariChalla
<p>A major survey has gauged the attitudes of scientists to engaging with the public and with the media. The findings show that the overwhelming majority of those surveyed- 87%- believe that scientists should take an active role in public policy debates. They also believe that they are facing a less advantageous environment than in the past in terms of funding and policy decisions. The survey was conducted by the Pew Research Center in collaboration with the American Association for the…</p>
<p>A major survey has gauged the attitudes of scientists to engaging with the public and with the media. The findings show that the overwhelming majority of those surveyed- 87%- believe that scientists should take an active role in public policy debates. They also believe that they are facing a less advantageous environment than in the past in terms of funding and policy decisions. The survey was conducted by the Pew Research Center in collaboration with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and was used to collect information from a random sample of 3,748 American-based AAAS scientists from September 11 to October 13, 2014.</p>
<p>The survey results showed that scientists are keenly aware of the importance, opportunities and challenges of engaging with news and social media. An overwhelming 98% of AAAS scientists said they had some level of interaction with citizens, while 51% had some contact with reporters regarding their research findings. 43% of said it was "important" or "very important” for scientists working in their specialty area to garner news media coverage. 71% believed that the public has some or a lot of interest in their research area and 53% said that there was some level of debate in the news. However, the difficulties inherent in effectively and accurately conveying reliable scientific findings via the new media were keenly felt. Some 79% of the scientists surveyed expressed the belief that there is a major problem in news reports failing to distinguish between well-founded and not well-founded scientific findings, while 52% said that science faces a major problem from simplification of scientific findings in the media.</p>
<p>In terms of social media, nearly half of those surveyed reported using social media to either talk or read about scientific developments. 24% blog about science and research, with younger scientists being more likely to use social media. Of scientists under 35 years old, 70% reported using social media, as opposed to 44% of those ages 50-64 and 30% of those 65 and older. Scientists use a range of ways for engagement with the public; 41% of AAAS scientists reported that they "often" or "occasionally" do at least two of these four activities: 1) talk with non-experts about science topics, 2) talk with the media, 3) use social media or 4) blog.</p>
<p>However, the most common way in which scientists remained up-to-date was via traditional information and peer networking activities. 84% of those surveyed said they read journal articles outside their primary field or discipline, while 79% attended professional meetings, workshops and lectures. Digital communications were widely reported as a way of connecting with peers and staying up-to-date, with 58% availing of email alerts from journals in their specialty and 56% from general science journals. 32% belong to email list-servs, 19% follow blogs by experts their fields, while 12% follow tweets or other social media reports by experts in their field.</p>
<p>"Science topics are increasingly becoming part of the public debate and scientists clearly feel they should be in the arena," said Lee Rainie of the Pew Research Center. "These views link to a broad feeling in the science community that things are not as good as they used to be, that the research funding environment is more precarious, and policy decisions in key areas like land use and environmental quality are not often based on the best science."<br/> Scientists keenly aware of importance of public engagement<br/>
<a href="http://www.sciguru.org/newsitem/18444/scientists-keenly-aware-importance-public-engagement?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ScienceNewsScigurucom+%28Science+News+SciGuru.org%29" target="_blank">http://www.sciguru.org/newsitem/18444/scientists-keenly-aware-importance-public-engagement?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ScienceNewsScigurucom+%28Science+News+SciGuru.org%29</a><br/>
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How Scientists Engage the Public<br/>
<a href="http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/02/15/how-scientists-engage-public/" target="_blank">http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/02/15/how-scientists-engage-public/</a></p> A Scientist’s Guide To Social…tag:kkartlab.in,2014-11-19:2816864:Comment:1221802014-11-19T03:37:19.514ZDr. Krishna Kumari Challahttps://kkartlab.in/profile/DrKrishnaKumariChalla
<p>A Scientist’s Guide To Social Interactions<br></br> Scientists and non-scientists can sometimes seem to be from different worlds, but every interaction is an opportunity for better understanding<br></br> <a href="http://www.asianscientist.com/2014/11/columns/scientists-guide-social-interactions/" target="_blank">http://www.asianscientist.com/2014/11/columns/scientists-guide-soci...</a></p>
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<p>A scientist recently said: What makes a professional scientist is not a supercharged brain with…</p>
<p>A Scientist’s Guide To Social Interactions<br/> Scientists and non-scientists can sometimes seem to be from different worlds, but every interaction is an opportunity for better understanding<br/> <a href="http://www.asianscientist.com/2014/11/columns/scientists-guide-social-interactions/" target="_blank">http://www.asianscientist.com/2014/11/columns/scientists-guide-soci...</a></p>
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<p>A scientist recently said: What makes a professional scientist is not a supercharged brain with more processing power, but a collection of subtle differences in skills and inclinations. We’re slightly better at doing the sort of things that professional scientists do on a daily basis — I’m better with math than the average person — but more importantly, we enjoy those activities and so spend time honing those skills, making the differences appear even greater.</p>
<p><a href="http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2014/12/scientists-are-not-that-smart.html" target="_blank">http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2014/12/scientists-are-not-that-smart....</a></p>
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<p>"Research should speak for itself". It does for people working in the same area of the field (we read/follow the papers published in science journals of our fields and understand them immediately). It doesn't for others. You need years of training - at least some effort to understand things scientific. Simple. <br/> Yes, it is easy to speak to your own colleagues working in your field because they do understand 'your language of jargon'. <br/> I am slowly coming to the position that this may be just an excuse for those who don't want to make the effort to communicate - a sentence from a person that doesn't understand the difficulties the scientists face. <br/> Communication is a process that takes lots of time and effort. With the hectic work schedules and limited time frames for other activities the scientists have, it is extremely difficult to 'climb up and down' the ladders of communication so frequently. I don't think it is 'arrogance' that is making scientists use certain words like 'dumbing down'. It is the frustration that people don't try to reach 'their levels of understanding things' to make things easier for them. <br/> I gave several other reasons the scientists face while communicating in some of my articles. You can read them here: <br/> <a target="blank" href="http://www.linkedin.com/redir/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fkkartlab%2Ein%2Fgroup%2Fsome-science%2Fforum%2Ftopics%2Fstanding-up-for-science-showing-reasons-why-science-should-be-tru&urlhash=cgVQ&_t=tracking_anet" rel="nofollow">http://kkartlab.in/group/some-science/forum/topics/standing-up-for-...</a> <br/> and here: <br/> <a target="blank" href="http://www.linkedin.com/redir/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fkkartlab%2Ein%2Fgroup%2Fsome-science%2Fforum%2Ftopics%2Fhow-scienitsts-should-communicate-with-laymen&urlhash=OiaC&_t=tracking_anet" rel="nofollow">http://kkartlab.in/group/some-science/forum/topics/how-scienitsts-s...</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/grp/post/121217-6043614918081531906" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/grp/post/121217-6043614918081531906</a></p> To teach or not: Should scien…tag:kkartlab.in,2014-10-09:2816864:Comment:1210822014-10-09T05:16:36.566ZDr. Krishna Kumari Challahttps://kkartlab.in/profile/DrKrishnaKumariChalla
<p>To teach or not: Should scientists step out of the lab?<br></br> A recent central government directive making it mandatory for more than 6,000 scientists working in different central agencies, including the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Institute (CSIR), to undertake 12 hours of classes in an academic year in public-funded schools across the country, has kicked up a debate about scientists diversifying to teaching. While some scientists are thrilled with the central government's…</p>
<p>To teach or not: Should scientists step out of the lab?<br/> A recent central government directive making it mandatory for more than 6,000 scientists working in different central agencies, including the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Institute (CSIR), to undertake 12 hours of classes in an academic year in public-funded schools across the country, has kicked up a debate about scientists diversifying to teaching. While some scientists are thrilled with the central government's decision, some raised concerns. <br/> <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/To-teach-or-not-Should-scientists-step-out-of-the-lab/articleshow/44734169.cms?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=digest_section" target="_blank">http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/To-teach-or-not-Sho...</a></p>
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<p>Too often, experts speak to only each other, and, worse, disdain colleagues who translate their work for the public as “dumbing down” scientific ideas. The alternative is much dumber: public perception of science based on the opinions of non-experts who are often driven by irredeemable motives. So for a while I’ve viewed public science communication as a moral responsibility, outreach through which scientists can help their communities. </p> Fears proposed code could gag…tag:kkartlab.in,2014-10-04:2816864:Comment:1207822014-10-04T05:01:17.467ZDr. Krishna Kumari Challahttps://kkartlab.in/profile/DrKrishnaKumariChalla
<p>Fears proposed code could gag science<br></br> Some scientists fear a proposed code governing what they can speak out about is actually an attempt to gag them.</p>
<p>The idea is referred to as the 'code for public engagement', and could sit alongside the Royal Society's existing Code of Ethics. The Prime Minister's chief science advisor Sir Peter Gluckman said the Royal Society has been asked to look at its current Code of Ethics and decide if it is up to scratch. If it is not, then…</p>
<p>Fears proposed code could gag science<br/> Some scientists fear a proposed code governing what they can speak out about is actually an attempt to gag them.</p>
<p>The idea is referred to as the 'code for public engagement', and could sit alongside the Royal Society's existing Code of Ethics. The Prime Minister's chief science advisor Sir Peter Gluckman said the Royal Society has been asked to look at its current Code of Ethics and decide if it is up to scratch. If it is not, then consultation will begin on a new code.<br/> Sir Peter said scientists have no need to feel they will be gagged under the proposed guidelines and that it will be up to the Royal Society to decide whether to create the new code or stick with its existing Code of Ethics.<br/>
The proposed new code is, according to Sir Peter, becoming common practise around the world because governments are concerned that scientists are straying into advocacy rather than sticking to their expertise.</p>
<p>Sir Peter said countries across the globe are reviewing codes of ethics after comments made by scientists about a major Italian earthquake and Japan's 2011 tsunami and earthquake.</p>
<p>And scientists in New Zealand are not immune to straying outside of their areas of expertise either, he said.</p>
<p>Sir Peter said the new code would encourage scientists to speak out, but give them guidelines for doing so.<br/> Concern among scientists</p>
<p>The existing Code of Ethics states that scientists may only represent themselves as experts in their fields of competence, must be fair and balanced, declare any conflicts of interest and ensure their public statements are supported by research.</p>
<p>Scientists spoken to by Radio New Zealand said there is no need for a new code and some fear that such a code is actually a way to rein them in.</p>
<p>Academics are allowed to speak out because of clauses in their contracts that encourage them to be the "critics and conscience of society".</p>
<p>And scientists working for government institutes rarely talk to the media about controversial topics, are not allowed to speak two months before an election. Before speaking to media they also have to get permission from their organisation.</p>
<p>Dr Mike Joy is a freshwater ecologist who has spoken about water quality and often disagrees with the government.</p>
<p>One government lobbyist described him as the "foot and mouth disease of the tourism industry"; Prime Minister John Key has claimed Dr Joy's data may not be factually correct and trade minister Tim Groser described him as "deeply unhelpful."</p>
<p>Dr Joy however, believes the current code is thorough enough and suspects the new code is a way for the government to silence its critics.</p>
<p>Dr Siousxie Wiles won the Prime Minister's Science Communication Prize last year. She agrees with Dr Joy that the existing Code of Ethics covers all that is needed. And she too wonders if the code is intended to rein in scientists.</p>
<p>Professor Shaun Hendy from Auckland University hopes the new code will encourage scientists to speak out, rather than rein them in.</p>
<p>He said the Fonterra botulism scare last year showed that there was a problem with scientists' freedom of speech.</p>
<p>He said in that case, the experts either were working for Fonterra, or for government agencies, and so did not feel comfortable speaking out about the contamination.</p>
<p>He is concerned there is now a climate where scientists are not encouraged to talk about controversial or difficult subjects.<br/> <a href="http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/255991/fears-proposed-code-c" target="_blank">http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/255991/fears-proposed-code-c</a>...</p> Why we should trust scientist…tag:kkartlab.in,2014-06-29:2816864:Comment:1183552014-06-29T05:29:11.329ZDr. Krishna Kumari Challahttps://kkartlab.in/profile/DrKrishnaKumariChalla
<p>Why we should trust scientists <br></br> Many of the world's biggest problems require asking questions of scientists — but why should we believe what they say? Historian of science Naomi Oreskes thinks deeply about our relationship to belief and draws out three problems with common attitudes toward scientific inquiry — and gives her own reasoning for why we ought to trust science. …<br></br></p>
<p>Why we should trust scientists <br/> Many of the world's biggest problems require asking questions of scientists — but why should we believe what they say? Historian of science Naomi Oreskes thinks deeply about our relationship to belief and draws out three problems with common attitudes toward scientific inquiry — and gives her own reasoning for why we ought to trust science. <br/> <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/naomi_oreskes_why_we_should_believe_in_science?utm_source=newsletter_weekly_2014-06-28&utm_campaign=newsletter_weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_content=bottom_left_button" target="_blank">http://www.ted.com/talks/naomi_oreskes_why_we_should_believe_in_sci...</a></p>
<h1 class="entry-title">The art of explaining science.. and why it's so hard to do</h1>
<p><a href="http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/thepulse/item/72489-the-art-of-explaining-science-and-why-its-so-hard-to-do-" target="_blank">http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/thepulse/item/72489-the-art-of-explaining-science-and-why-its-so-hard-to-do-</a></p> tag:kkartlab.in,2014-04-29:2816864:Comment:1162602014-04-29T01:57:46.649ZDr. Krishna Kumari Challahttps://kkartlab.in/profile/DrKrishnaKumariChalla
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</p> tag:kkartlab.in,2014-01-15:2816864:Comment:1134712014-01-15T03:31:55.071ZDr. Krishna Kumari Challahttps://kkartlab.in/profile/DrKrishnaKumariChalla
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