Research meets practice – Outcomes of the Bellagio meeting

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Research meets practice – Outcomes of the Bellagio meeting

Author: Toss Gascoigne – Australian National University, Australia

Co-authors:
Peter Broks – Rhine-Waal University
Massimiano Bucchi – Università di Trento
Michelle Riedlinger – University of the Fraser Valley
Maarten van de Sanden – Delft University of Technology

In November this year, 22 international experts participated in an intensive 3-day conference at the Rockefeller Foundation’s Centre at Bellagio, Italy. After a period of rapid expansion, science communication has arrived at something of a crossroads. Where to next? The aim of the conference was to provide a fresh focus.

How can researchers and practitioners work more closely and effectively, with a greater appreciation for the problems that both face?

Two weeks earlier, Massimiano Bucchi had convened a meeting in Trento with a similarly-ambitious agenda. He invited leading scholars to imagine and reflect upon the future scenarios of Science in Society, discussing the main trends and challenges for research, publishing, science communication and public engagement.

This roundtable will hear a lively conversation from 4 people involved in the meetings. Did they discover solutions? What problems were identified?

Science communicators deal with the practice and the theory of engaging governments, decision-makers and various publics in using, applying and generating scientific knowledge.

How can the various publics be engaged? What are the most effective ways to get them interested and involved in the new ideas?

There is also a growing challenge of public resistance to experts and their advice. We live in a world where ‘alternative facts’ and confirmation bias may determine the direction of public discourse and policy actions.

Discussions of post-truth and quality of science communication are often, more or less explicitly, coupled with speculations about declining trust in science per se, mistrust of scientists and their expertise, and even anti-science attitudes.

How then should science communicators act? What strategies should they employ to encourage rational consideration of significant issues, leading to appropriate policy responses?

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Roundtable discussion
Theme: Society
Area of interest: Applying science communication research to practice

Two cultures – The musical

Author: Toss Gascoigne – Australian National University, Australia

Co-authors:
Craig Cormick
Phil Dooley
Jenni Metcalfe – Australian National University

The proposal is for a dramatic presentation centred on CP Snow’s Two Cultures.

On May 7 1959, Snow delivered the Rede Lecture at Cambridge University. Snow said that society was divided in two parts, those educated in the arts and humanities, and those from science and technology. The two sides could not communicate and this had serious implications for society.

The proposal for Dunedin is a theatrical examination of this controversy. Is there a wall between the two cultures? Can people talk productively across this barrier, or is it the source of confusion, uncertainty and poor policy? Is science communication an attempt to patch over these difficulties, and can it succeed?

The play delighted the audience when it premiered at the PCST Conference in Istanbul. Now it has been revised and extended, with new character development and songs added, so it becomes Two Cultures: the Musical!

Presentation type: Perfomance
Theme: Society
Area of interest: Building a theoretical basis for science communication

A scientific meal in 3 dishes

Author: Erez Garty – Davidson Institute of Science Education, Israel

Food is one of the topics almost anyone can relate to because, well, we all eat. The amount of science in food products is enormous, from the chemistry of baking, through the biotechnology of cheese and wine, nutrition, the effect of chocolate on the brain and of course the many myths of diets. At the Davidson Institute of Science Education we have developed a scientific meal where every dish has a scientific meaning. The first dish deals in the chemistry of food, the second dish in ecology and dilemas of feeding the growing poulation of the world and the dessert in about how our food makes us feel. In this workshop I will present the three-course meal (virtually) and discuss the many aspects of each dish. This workshop was already practiced on teachers, students and chefs from the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs and we are developing a MOOC these days. The workshop will include cool anecdotes, discussiopns, demonstrations and of course some samples for tasting. It is recommended to not to come hungry to this workshop.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Workshop
Theme: Stories
Area of interest: Applying science communication research to practice

S-Factor – creative ways to communicate science

Author: Erez Garty – Davidson Institute of Science Education, Israel

Co-authors:
Revital Ahronov – Ms
Oshrit Navon – PhD

TV reality contests are not only an efficient way to get high rating they are also a good way to connect people to science. We have seen numerous YouTube channels dedicated to expressing science through music, dance and comedy and decided to try and create our own X-Factor style science talent show for participants from the academy and from different fields of the art. In this contest we looked for nominees from universities, art schools, science excellence programs and followers of science Facebook pages. To those who wanted we offered scientific mentoring and screened the best 3 nominees who excelled in creativity, science accuray and the WOW factor. The competition will take place in our annual “Connecting people to science” on December 17th (after the date of submission of this abstract) and the best show will win a small scholarship, an option to produce a video using our studio and staff and hopefully also a chance to appear on TV. During this talk I will address the process, show selected parts from the auditions and the competition (with translation to English) and the results of the competition (radio/TV interviews, video clip etc.)

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Show, tell and talk
Theme: Science
Area of interest: Applying science communication research to practice

Increase science reporting in the media in three easy steps

Author: Erez Garty – Davidson Institute of Science Education, Israel

Co-authors:
Naama Bar-On – Ms
Merav Dvori – Ms

One of the biggest challenges in science communications is reaching the public. Some people go to scientific activities, visit science museums and research centers or subscribe to a popular science journals. Reaching and connecting the rest of the people to science, however, is quite a challenge. At the Davidson Institute of Science Education, we have established a department that managed within two years to revolutionize the Israeli science communication market, publishing scientific items written by scientists and edited by journalists every day in all platforms – Most of Israeli major news websites, TV (talk shows, children’s channel, the sports channel etc.) radio (a daily science radio show) and the social networks. Several organizations followed our lead and started publishing scientific items on the media as well. The result is an explosion of science content reaching almost every household In Israel through the TV set, radio, computer or smartphone. In this video we will describe how this revolution was done, what were our challenges and how we overcame them and present data about how people react to our science content outside of its traditional place.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Visual talk
Theme: Science
Area of interest: Influencing policies through science communication

The effectiveness of photographs to communicate science in a Chinese national park

Author: Lei Zhu – Centre for Science Communication, University of Otago, New Zealand

Co-author:
Lloyd S. Davis – Centre for Science Communication, University of Otago

The potential of high-quality photographs to enhance science communication is often disregarded and seldom tested. In this study, we focused on the effectiveness that photographs can have for enhancing science communication on signage within Xixi National Wetland Park, China. We evaluated effectiveness to communicate science using a series of variables: general attractiveness of the signs to the visitors, satisfaction and understanding from reading the signs, as well as recall of the information presented on the signs.

High-quality and poor-quality photographs were determined apriori from a selection of photographs evaluated by a panel of photographers based upon technical and creative criteria. Three manipulated signs with the same text concerning the Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) were then tested successively. A high-quality photograph and a poor-quality one appeared on the first two signs, respectively. As a control, the park’s logo was used in place of a photo on the third sign. Visitors in the park were asked to complete a questionnaire after reading the signs.

We found that a high-quality photograph made the signage more attractive, increasing reading satisfaction and understanding. Irrespective of quality, the use of a photograph helped visitors remember more information on the signs compared to the control condition.

We conclude that the presence and qualities of photographs indeed significantly influence the effectiveness of science communication. However, the degree of that effectiveness varied depending upon the visitors’ different interests in birds (avid bird watchers, a general interest in birds, and no interest in birds). Those with a general interest were most positively influenced by using a high-quality photograph, while visitors with no interest in birds were unlikely even to read a sign with a poor-quality photograph. Hence, high-quality photographs are most effective for communication of science.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Visual talk
Theme: Science
Area of interest: Applying science communication research to practice

Government credibility in a post-expert – world A case study of GMO communications in China

Author: Tangyao Zhang – The Australian National University, Australia

Food security has gained much attention as one of the most significant issues in China in the 21st century. In order to make China’s food supply more secure, genetic modification technologies were have been raised as a potential solution. According to peer-reviewed scientific research, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), especially those approved by government agencies (e.g. FDA), are likely safe for human daily consuming. However, there is considerable public disquiet about the safety of GMOs in China. The opposition can be found in multiple sources including mainstream media, governmental documents (e.g. import restriction), research publications, social media, and person-to-person communications.

Currently, I am investigating stakeholders and communication mechanisms of GMO in China as my postgraduate research project, and a part of my research results indicate an inverse correlation between frequency and intensity of government-oriented GMO communication activities and the government’s decision making processes on scientific policy. This result suggests a new research question which will examine roles of government-oriented scientific research and communication, and some government credibility theories* could be introduced to build a conceptual framework to elucidate this phenomenon in China. *George Chryssochoidis, Anna Strada & Athanasios Krystallis (2009) Public trust in institutions and information sources regarding risk management and communication: towards integrating extant knowledge, Journal of Risk Research, 12:2, 137-185

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Idea in progress
Theme: Society
Area of interest: Building a theoretical basis for science communication

Science Communication in Tertiary Student Recruitment

Author: Tangyao Zhang – The Australian National University, Australia

Inspiring future science students is one of the missions of science communication. On one hand, established science marketing and communication practical strategies are vital for universities to recruit students who will study science at tertiary level. On the other hand, science communication is a fast-growing discipline which is creating more and more career opportunities in the education industry. Therefore, it is important to investigate science communication practice for tertiary student recruitment.

In this talk, I would like to introduce and elucidate my stories and experiences in communicating science for student recruitment purposes as a staff member of the ANU Joint Colleges of Science. These experiences include video storytelling strategies, social media management as well as a comparison of livestream videos with conventional short videos on social media platforms. In addition, I would like to point out some complicated and critical issues we are facing in practice, such as communicating science in indigenous and multicultural contexts.\

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Speakers’ corner
Theme: Stories
Area of interest: Investigating science communication practices

Why do female Japanese students not study mathematical and physical sciences?

Author: Hiromi Yokoyama – The University of Tokyo, Kavli IPMU, Japan

Co-author:
Yuko Ikkatai – The University of Tokyo, Kavli IPMU

In Japan, the percentage of female scientific researchers is extremely low, at 15.3% (for comparison, in Russia it is 40.3%; in the UK, 27.4%, in Italy, 36.0% and in the US, 34.3%). Within the natural sciences, there are a relatively large number of female students, 40% in the biology department, but women comprise less than 10% of the total number of students in the physics, mathematics and information technology departments. Over the past 10 years, the Japanese government has undertaken many projects to encourage women to study in the science and technology departments. Regardless of these efforts, the percentage of female students who enter the fields of physics, mathematics and information technology has not increased. The percentage of women in physics departments is over 50% in Italy, which leads to the conclusion that there are cultural differences between Japan and the rest of the world. We investigated whether social factors unique to Japan inhibit Japanese female students from studying sciences. We held a workshop with women researchers in the fields of physics, mathematics and information technology, discussing the factors that may inhibit women, and provide the results in this paper.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Show, tell and talk
Theme: Society
Area of interest: Building a theoretical basis for science communication

The Influence of temperature on #ClimateChange and #GlobalWarming discourses on Twitter

Author: Sara Yeo – University of Utah, United States

Co-authors:
Dominique Brossard – University of Wisconsin-Madison
Kyle Griffin – Riskpulse
Zachary Handlos – Georgia Institute of Technology
Alexandra Karambelas – Columbia University
Kathleen Rose – University of Wisconsin-Madison
Leona Su – University of Utah

Research suggests people associate different concepts with the terms “global warming” and “climate change.” We test this claim using Twitter content and supervised learning software to categorize tweets by topic. We explore differences in Twitter discourses that employ the terms “global warming” and “climate change” over time (January 1, 2012 to March 31, 2014). These data were combined with temperature records to test the extent to which temperature was associated with online discussions. We then used two case studies to examine the relationship between extreme temperature events and Twitter content: a “cold surge” (January 2014) and a “heat wave” (March 2012). We found that the topic of discussion was an important factor in whether messages about global warming or climate change were more prevalent. While more reactions to global warming were observed for topics related to weather and energy, more climate change tweets were about environmental and political issues. Consistent with previous research, our findings also showed that posts about global warming (but not climate change) were significantly correlated with anomalous temperature and impacted by seasonality. This result was further supported in our case study of the “heat wave,” where a statistically significant correlation between anomalous temperature and global warming reactions was observed. The “cold surge” case study supported our finding that political statements appear to be associated with more climate change tweets relative to global warming. Overall, these findings underscore the importance of considering how communication on social media may translate into concerns among lay publics. Depending on the policy issue at hand, it may be important to develop messages using the appropriate term that resonates with people’s existing schema.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Individual paper
Theme: Science
Area of interest: Building a theoretical basis for science communication

Study on enhancing the public confidence in nuclear safety regulations in Korea – The case study of effective communications with the public

Author: Dong Hee Yeo – Institute of Nuclear Safety, South Korea

This proposal was designed to investigate the possibility of more efficiently communicate with the public about nuclear regulations in terms of enhancing the transparency of the regulatory body.
More specifically, by looking into the case study regarding public information, this study aimed at examining how the Korean regulatory body make in terms of enhancing public acceptance of regulatory decision-making.

The NSSC (Nuclear Safety and Security Commission) as a Korean nuclear regulatory body, has tried to enhance transparency in its regulations. Since 2013, it has formed the council group for a nuclear safety meeting in 5 areas where nuclear installations are located, in order to regularly communicate with local residents on nuclear safety related matters. And, in 2016 the NSSC established a nuclear safety information center whose online portal is providing regulatory documents for the public.

However, despite the NSSC’s endeavor to communicate with the public, the reliability of the regulatory decision has still been challenged. For example, regarding the regulatory approval of the license renewal of a reactor, civic groups and ordinary citizens filed an administrative litigation, insisting the approval be withdrawn.
In this respect, it is important for the regulatory body to have public acceptance of its decision-making based on such scientific regulatory activities as safety reviews and inspections.
Then, how does the Korean regulatory body improve communications with the public and increase the public acceptance in its regulatory actions?
This research address suggestions that the Korean regulatory body should inform the public about the procedures as well as results of the surveillance of nuclear safety in order to increase public confidence through foreign case analysis such as the public information body and the U.S. public hearing which is broadcasted over the internet.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Individual paper
Theme: Society
Area of interest: Investigating science communication practices

“China” imagination in science fiction – Take personal handphone system roaming future as an example

Author: LiFen Yao, China

Prophetic features of science fiction are very strong. Taking Chinese science fiction work Personal Handphone System（PHS）roaming future as an example, this paper studies the influence of science fiction on the future of the country. As a Book of 1980s, namely Personal Handphone System roaming future, it gives the basic idea of realizing national rejuvenation in twenty-first Century——scientific and technological innovation may be the fundamental motive force to decide the progress of the nation. It can be said that the development in China after thirty years coincides with the prediction of the book. This article holds that the evolution of Chinese images in science fiction reflects the history of Chinese social development, and science fiction has a stimulating effect on the development of science and society.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Speakers’ corner
Theme: Stories
Area of interest: Comparing science communication across cultures

An analysis of Chinese netizens’ search behavior about demand of science popularization

Author: Dan Wu – China Research Institute for Science Popularization, China

Co-author:
Qi Zhong – China Research Institute for Science Popularization

The rapid development of Internet provides a more convenient, effective platform for science and technology communication. In recent years, many websites in China have played an important role for science and technology communication, and promote the popularization of science and technology.

In this study, based on the determination of the theme and seed words, we established the data platform through the Chinese largest search engine Baidu, obtains the relevant data of Chinese netizens’ search behavior about demand of science popularization.，and analyzes the data to master the need of Chinese netizens.

The visual talk consists of four parts: the first part is to analyzes the current development trends of Chinese netizens’ search behavior about demand of science popularization; the second part is to analyzes characteristics of Chinese netizens’ search behavior about demand of science popularization ; the third part is according to the search index changes caused by focus event , to analyze the reasons; the last part draws some conclusions and gives relevant suggestions.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Visual talk
Theme: Society
Area of interest: Investigating science communication practices

Insights from a brand new cooperation model – Science edu-communication through frame analysis of the project – Difference Science News in Taiwan

Author: Leon Yufeng Wu – Chung Yuan Christian University, Taiwan

Co-authors:
Chun-Yen Chang – National Taiwan Normal University
Pin-Sheng Li – National Taiwan Normal University

Science Edu-Communication is a model implementing new production and research avenues in modern science communication. Scholars have identified that the fields of science education and science communication share the same goal of promoting public understanding of science. The project Different Science News (DSN) is a milestone achievement and practice of science edu-communication in Taiwan, because science educators are actively involved as facilitators between both journalists and scientists during the production of the science news. The DSN series has produced more than 200 science news segments and reached more than 60 million viewers since 2014. Although the series has demonstrated successful outreach during the past 3-year cooperation period, we have encountered various conflicts in production due to different frames and perspectives of what the science news should be. Through interviewing and frame analysis, we examined the conflicts that resulted from divergent frames. The result showed that journalists hold wider frames toward science news. They demonstrated frames of awareness (A) and enjoyment (E) (i.e., in order to catch audiences’attention), and reinforced understanding (U) and interest (I). Scientists and science educators also held on understanding (U), but the accuracy and correctness of the information were their concerns (e.g., detailed information in the charts, precise facts demonstrated in the animation, and presented scenes. The conflicts concerning awareness (A), enjoyment (E), understanding (U) and scene between science educators and journalists occurred in the earlier stage of production. The conflicts concerning understanding (U) and scene between scientists and journalists occurred in the later stage of production. Different frames did cause conflicts. The findings also showed that journalists’ frames did not follow deficit model, scientists and science educators did, however. Strategies for better mitigation will be discussed.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Individual paper
Theme: Science
Area of interest: Building a theoretical basis for science communication

When a risk message fails – telling the story of raw milk in Australia

Author: Penny Wilson – Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, ANU, Australia

Raw milk sale is prohibited in Australia; the risk of illness and death is considered too great to legally sell this “fragile” product. However, there is a continued desire to source and consume raw milk for reasons such as health, taste, belief, history, nostalgia.

The official risk message from scientists/ regulators is that the potential for harm is too great to allow the legal sale of raw milk.

The producers of raw milk are also knowledgeable and informed, relying on handed-down wisdom, formal learning, networks of support, trial and error. Many have always drunk raw milk, appreciating taste and texture, decrying the commercially available alternatives. However, the producers acknowledge the potential for risk in the raw milk product while understanding the optimum conditions for managing the complexity of milk’s microbiology.

So if producers and scientists/ regulators all recognise the risks in raw milk, what is wrong with the risk message?

Boholm and Corvellec (2011) developed the Relational Theory of Risk to examine the underpinning reasons for risk communication to miss the mark. I took the theory and reimagined its use, asking interviewees what they saw as the risks surrounding raw milk and who or what the risk would impact.

This presentation draws from extensive interviews exploring the stories of producers and consumers, those who see raw milk as the norm; and scientists/ regulators those for whom raw milk represents a potential risk. My work may enable reduced risk for consumers, increased awareness of milk-drinking practices amongst producers and regulators, and the possibility of revised regulations and new legal frameworks.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Individual paper
Theme: Stories
Area of interest: Investigating science communication practices

The story of our science communication curricula – To be continued

Author: Caroline Wehrmann – Delft University of Technology, Netherlands

Co-authors:
Liesbeth de Bakker – Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Henk Mulder – University of Groningen, The Netherlands
Todd Newman – Stony Brook University, New York
Miriam Sullivan – University of West Australia, Australia

In this session we will share stories about our efforts and challenges to (re)design our science communication master programs and invite your feedback. As we are from different institutes, on several parts-of-the-world, from universities of technology and ‘classical’ universities, just starting or with 15+ years of experience, we will reflect and share potential solutions from different perspectives; based on student, alumni and staff evaluations.

One main problem concerns the tension between what ‘the university wants’ (strong theoretical grounding, students going on to PhD-research) and what most students want (practical job experience and skills). How can we balance practical and theoretical components in our curricula? Do we focus on training students for non-research jobs in science communication requiring academic levels, or do we find ways to prepare students for both academic and professional careers?

Secondly, in response to an increasing demand for science communicators among key stakeholders, we would like to guide our students through different career paths and help them discover new job opportunities. How to build a coherent curriculum that offers a sound basis for that? Should we provide students with a wide range of skills and a broad multidisciplinary knowledge? Do we have to guide them in their personal professional development? Or do we focus on teaching students how to innovate and find approaches to new problems?

We could specialize, and collaborate with other SC programs to offer students a wide range of opportunities. But what to expect from exchange programs? What are benefits and pitfalls for students and staff? How to make our programs accessible to the growing number of international students with various backgrounds and interests? And can we still cater to domestic labour markets if we teach in English?

We appreciate your help in writing the next chapter in the story of our curricula!

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Roundtable discussion
Theme: Science
Area of interest: Teaching science communication

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