Science In Public: Communication, Culture, And Credibility

by Jane Gregory, Steven Miller

Overview

Does the general public need to understand science? And if so, is it scientists' responsibility to communicate? Critics have argued that, despite the huge strides made in technology, we live in a "scientifically illiterate" society--one that thinks about the world and makes important decisions without taking scientific knowledge into account. But is the solution to this "illiteracy" to deluge the layman with scientific information? Or does science news need to be focused around specific issues and organized into stories that are meaningful and relevant to people's lives? In this unprecedented, comprehensive look at a new field, Jane Gregory and Steve Miller point the way to a more effective public understanding of science in the years ahead.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780465024506
Publisher:	Basic Books
Publication date:	09/07/2000
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	304
Lexile:	1480L (what's this?)
File size:	477 KB
Age Range:	13 - 18 Years

About the Author

Jane Gregory is Lecturer in Science and Technology Studies at Birkbeck College, London, and an Honorary Research Fellow at University College, London.

Steve Miller has a Ph.D. in physical chemistry and is currently Reader in Science Communication and Planetary Science at University College, London. Jane Gregory is Lecturer in Science and Technology Studies at Birkbeck College, London, and an Honorary Research Fellow at University College, London.

Table of Contents

Preface

The Recent "Public Understanding of Science Movement"

Science in Public Culture

Popular Science: Friend or Foe?

Popularization, Public Understanding, and the Public Sphere

Media Issues in the Public Understanding of Science

Case Studies in Public Science

An ABC of Risk - Apples, Beef, and Comets

Science in Museums

Initiatives and Activities in the Public Understanding of Science

A Protocol for Science Communication for the Public Understanding of Science

References

Index

"Even-handedness, comprehensiveness, and sheer accessibility make [this] an indispensable text." -Nature

"Anyone in the business [of communicating science] who is unaware of the issues [that this book] discusses risks making a fool of themselves." -New Scientist