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1 From “Science and Society” to “Science in Society” EU initiatives Science and communication: Why to pay special attention to it?
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From “Science and Society”to “Science in Society” EU initiatives
Science and communication:Why to pay special attention
to it?
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EU Research policies: FPs and ERA
FP4 – 4th RTD Framework Programme, 1994-1998
FP5 – 5th Framework Programme, 1998-2002FP6 – 6th Framework Programme, 2002-
2006FP7 – 7th Framework Programme, 2007-
2013
In March 2000 the Lisbon European Council adopted the European Research Area (ERA), in order to structure and promote the concept of European research and cooperation between all actors in the field of science and technology within the EU.
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There is an explicit science and technology policy…
…at the same time, science and technology are increasingly influencing the way society operates.Every day, scientific and technological
progress contributes new innovations essential to our quality of life.
New discoveries in sciences, information technology as well as the physical world are strongly influencing the social, economic, political and ethical structures we are accustomed to.
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Science, technologyand Europeans
Special Eurobarometers and opinion polls
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What do Europeans think of science and technology?
Opinion polls (1977, 1990) and special Eurobarometers on Europeans, Science and Technology (1992, 2001 and 2005),1977: Science and European public opinion, http://
ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_9_en.pdf1990: Europeans, science and technology,http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_43
_fr.pdf1992: Europeans, science and technology, http://
ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_076_en.pdf
2001: Europeans, science and technology, http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_154_en.pdf
2005: Europeans, science and technology, http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_224_report_en.pdf
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Special Eurobarometer 154 in 2001“Europeans, Science & Technology”
It was concluded in the results of the October 2001 Eurobarometer survey European citizens do not feel in line with the goals set up by the European Union for science and technology.
There is a need to step up scientific information in order to motivate European citizens to become more involved in science.
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Science and Society in 2001In order to tackle these problems, an action
plan called “Science and society” was adopted in December 2001 within the ERA.
Some of the main objectives of this action plan:Promoting the scientific education and culture
of European citizensBringing scientific policy closer to citizens
and strengthening citizen participation in the debates raised by the scientific advances
Involving more women, who are not sufficiently represented in scientific development
Strengthening the ethical basis of scientific and technological activities and detecting risks inherent in progress in order to put responsible science at the heart of policy making
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Special Eurobarometer 224 in 2005“Europeans, Science & Technology”
Main objective of the survey was to assess Europeans’ general attitudes towards science and technology.
Points analysed in the report:European citizens’ interest and level of
informationImage and knowledge of science and
technologyAttitudes towards science and technologyResponsibilities of scientists and policy-makersThe public’s perception of European scientific
research
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Special 2005 Eurobarometer findings
Europeans are most interested in news themes on environmental pollution
Main reasons for disinterest in science and technology are lack of understanding and lack of concern
Developments in medicine attract most interest, medicine and physics are perceived as most scientific
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Special 2005 Eurobarometer findings
Level of information is considerably lower than level of interest
Little active involvement in science and technology issues among European citizens
Scientific and technological developments are presented too negatively in the media
Quiz test: There is a good level of scientific knowledge among Europeans
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Perception of Science in 2005Science makes our ways of life change too fastNot important to know about science in the
daily life33 % in 1992 and 37 % in 2005 (+4)
Application of advanced technologies increases competitiveness of the economy67 % in 1992 and 64 % in 2005 (-3)
Computers and factory automation will create more jobs than they will eliminate65 % in 1992 and 55 % in 2005 (-10)
But also: Scientific research which adds to knowledge should be supported by government73 % in 1992 and 76 % in 2005 (+3)
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Informing and involving citizens in 2005
Scientists put too little effort into informing the public about their work (59 %)
Politicians should rely more on the advice of expert scientists (73 %)
Europeans are divided on whether they consider it important for them to be personally involved in decisions about science and technology.39% do not believe such an involvement on their behalf
is important, 41% disagree and believe such an involvement is actually important.
58% of citizens in the European Union think that the public is not sufficiently involved in decisions about science and technology.
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Science in everyday life of Europeans
It has been noted in the past years that there is a consistent problem of transparency between scientific and technological issues and the information and perception European citizens have on these.
It seems that there is an existing gap between science and society: Europeans feel badly informed and little involved in science and technology, which has led to concerns and scepticism on specific issues.
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Policy implementation
Scientific communication aspects in the framework programmes
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FP5New goals, aspects and criteria were
introduced in FP5 to link science and policy
FP5 among otherwas based on relevance to main EU policies
placed more emphasis on using results
Main objective:Putting Science and technology at the
service of the EU and its policies
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FP5, FP6New strategic approach in EU research
policiesAddress key European problemsConsult widelyTo increase impact Stronger emphasis on dissemination
From science AND society to science IN society: towards a framework for ‘co-operative researchA European Commission Workshop, Directorate-General
Research, Governance and Scientific Advice Unit, Brussels, 24–25 November 2005
More info: http://ec.europa.eu/research/science-society/index.cfm?fuseaction=public.topic&id=356&lang=1&CFID=9549768&CFTOKEN=b919d2ce09b2d6b-3238FA2E-E010-64C6-4E0B0317DCB69F4F
Report: http://ec.europa.eu/research/science-society/pdf/goverscience_final_report_en.pdf
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Communicating science in FP7Scientific research is directly linked to social
welfare, the economy and global sustainability. The impact of science is such that communicating research activities and results to the public must be helped and encouraged.
Under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), projects are contractually required to include communication in their strategy.
In this context, the European Commission provides extensive support to research projects. This expertise is freely and publicly accessible.General link: http://cordis.europa.eu/en/home.html
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Useful resources
European Commission and world
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The Comminssion means communication seriously… Conference
Communicating European Research 2005International Conference, Brussels, 14-15 November
2005Successful communications website,
http://ec.europa.eu/research/science-society/science-communication/index_en.htm
Guide to successful communications, http://ec.europa.eu/research/conferences/2004/cer2004/pdf/rtd_2004_guide_success_communication.pdf
Communicating Science - a scientist's survival kit, http://ec.europa.eu/research/science-society/pdf/communicating-science_en.pdf
Communicating European Research 2005, International Conference, Brussels, 14-15 November 2005 http://ec.europa.eu/research/conferences/2005/cer2005/index_en.html
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The Commission means communication seriously… Websites
CORDIS: Community Research & Development Information Service, http://cordis.europa.eu/en/home.html
Recent redesign of the CORDIS websiteEuropa > CORDIS > FP7 > Capacities >
Science in society
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The Comminssion means communication seriously… WebsitesRedesign of the EC Research website http://ec.
europa.eu/research/index.cfmAmong other new „Who are you?“ navigation
indicating main target groups for European research:ResearchersJournalistsStudentsTeachersNGOsPolicy makersBusinessGeneral public
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European Commission resourcesScience and Society portal, http://
ec.europa.eu/research/science-society/index.cfmEmbedding science and society into
EU Research, http://ec.europa.eu/research/science-society/index.cfm?fuseaction=public.topic&id=65Communicating research, http://ec.europa.
eu/research/science-society/index.cfm?fuseaction=public.topic&id=35
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Others do it…
Examples of science communication funding in the world
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US Government grant scheme
Communicating Research to Public Audiences grants (US government) , http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2003/nsf03509/nsf03509.htmlCommunicating Research to Public Audiences grants are a
special category of projects supported under the Informal Science Education (ISE) program.
The outcome of all ISE projects is an informed citizenry that has access to ideas and tools of science and engineering to enhance their quality of life and the health, prosperity, welfare, and security of the nation.
The purpose of Communicating Research to Public Audiences grants is to promote the discovery, integration, dissemination, and employment of new knowledge in service to society and to achieve excellence in U.S. science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education at all levels.
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Australia: Communicating research knowledge to the public
The University of South Australia,Resources for Research Degree Graduate Qualities http://www.unisa.edu.au/resgrad/commres/public.asp
Communicating research knowledge to the public is part of a healthy environment for research and development and contributes to society's understanding, builds links with other sectors and improves credibility and acceptance for your discipline.
The sixth generic quality involves communicating effectively as a researcher in a discipline or professional area and as a leading member of the community.
Effective communication means that the higher degree by research student should be able to disseminate research findings within the broad research discipline, both orally and in writing as well as being able to translate the substance of research findings to the public.
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Study it, go to a conference, get trained or train it, get paid or pay for it… Journals: Science communication
http://scx.sagepub.com/ http://jcom.sissa.it/about-us/general/
Learning resource: Science communication http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Topic:Science_Communication_in_the_UK
Weblog center: Science communication http://www.sciencecommunication.org/
Study programmes: Science communication M.Sc. in Science Communication,
http://www.dcu.ie/prospective/deginfo.php?classname=MSC&mode=full&originating_school=60
MSc in Science Communication, http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/humanities/sciencecommunicationgroup/mscinsciencecommunication/
Science Communication Program, http://scicom.ucsc.edu/ Trainings:
University of West England, Science Communication Unit, http://www.uwe.ac.uk/fas/graphicscience/projects/training/index.htm
Network: ESConet – European Science Communication Network http://www.esconet.org/workshop/escw.html
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Other resources„Communicating Science to the Public:
A Handbook for Researchers“, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), http://www.nserc.ca/seng/how1en.htm
http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/nextpage/
…just go to www.google.com and make a query for „communicating research“ or „communicating science“ or „science communication“ or similar topics…
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Remember…
„Change is hard, but stagnation is fatal.“
Peter C. Bishop
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Picture sources
Cartoon from Punch´s Almanack for 1882:http://www.tulane.edu/~darwin/EEOB%20619/Darwin-Worm.jpg
Cartoon from 1871:http://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soubor:Darwin_ape.jpg
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Marta NachtmannováCINEFOGO SoE Office at CESES FSV
UKCeletná 20, 116 36 Prague 1
Thank you for your attention.
