Author: Heather Doran – Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, University of Dundee, United Kingdom

Co-authors:

  • Rachel Briscoe – Fast Familiar, United Kingdom
  • Niamh Nic Daeid – Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, University of Dundee, United Kingdom

Members of the public, in the role of jurors, are expected to listen, understand and make judgements in regards to the scientific (and non scientific) evidence presented during a court case and then come to conclusions, beyond reasonable doubt, in regards to the guilt or innocence of an accused person.

Are there ways we could ensure that juries correctly understand the information presented to them? As scientific techniques and their applications become more complex how can we support members of the public to make evidence based decisions? How can we ensure that they understand the limitations of scientific evidence?

The Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS), in collaboration with ex-theatre company, Fast Familiar has explored a world leading public experiment using comics as a ‘scientific primer’ in a piece of particapatpry theatre. Members of the public ‘act’ as a jury in a mock-trial evaluating the potential to use alternative and creative means to communicate science to enable them in decision making.

In this session we will share what we have created and the interpretations of the research work we have carried out.

LRCFS is a £10 million, 10 year award-winning disruptive research centre with the aim of increasing the robustness of scientific evidence used within the justice system and ensuring that forensic science is communicated correctly and appropriately. The comics have been created with the University of Dundee Scottish Centre for Comics Studies based on interpretations of scientific evidence techniques from judges, researchers and forensic scientists.

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

Presentation type: Insight talk
Theme: Transformation

Author: Heather Doran – Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, University of Dundee, United Kingdom

Co-authors:
Anne Dijkstra – University of Twente
Yin Lin – China Research Institute for Science Popluarization
Steve Miller – University College London
Caitriona Mordan – Dublin City University

In this round table discussion we will ask how universities can bring responsible research and innovation (RRI) into practice. We will focus on how they can foster the science-society relationship and in particular the role of science communication and engagement in this process.

The session will bring a round table discussion of representatives from two projects (The New Understanding of Communication, Learning and Engagement in Universities and Scientific Institutions – NUCLEUS – project and the RRI Tools project). The panel is keen to stimulate discussion and share practices on the global perspectives of bringing RRI in practice in various cultures.

NUCLEUS has 25 international partners from Africa, Asia and Europe. Field Trips conducted across these countries and study work has analysed how to interpret RRI in different ways, what current examples are of good practice and potential barriers ahead. Over the next two years in 10 research institutes, RRI approaches will be brought into practice and analysed. Science communication and engagement is one important element of this remit.

Findings from the RRI Tools project will amplify reflections on how to enhance practices of RRI in universities further and how these resources are contributing to understanding and enhancing relationships with various groups of stakeholders in society.

This session will encourage an exchange of views from the different cultural backgrounds and professions around science and its meaning for society, in particular, its communication on societal, political and social challenges.

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

Presentation type: Roundtable discussion
Theme: Science
Area of interest: Comparing science communication across cultures