Scientific Communication and its Publics

 "If you impede the communication of science, you impede science itself." - Dr. Jeff Hutchings, Professor, Department of Biology, Dalhousie University

This research theme explores how scientists communicate with one another, with their objects, and with the wider world.

The humanistic study of science in Canada has been particularly interested in the material and cultural aspects of scientific and technological exchange, from the interaction of scientists in early modern coffee houses, to public audiences, to that of government scientists and engineers with local fishers or aboriginals, to the development of Canadian science and technology policy. The study of scientific communication expands upon recent work in media theory, the public understanding of science, the transfer of knowledge across societal domains and competing interpretations, demonstration and questions of matters of fact, popularization, science museums, and science in newspapers and journals.

Recent Canadian and international studies of scientific communication have come to question the dominant model of scientific communication under which only isolated researchers produce scientific knowledge, which is later translated (often into simplified and distorted forms) for a lay population. This dominant model often neglects the extent to which translation into new contexts creates new knowledge, something we would seek to emphasize in our cluster research.

Active Canadian research into this theme will, for example, intensify research on how knowledge is articulated in a Canadian and international perspective, and moves within scientific communities on the one hand and between scientists, public groups, and industry on the other.

Related:

Silencing Scientists. CBC Radio's The Current Feature Oct. 26, 2010

What is the difference between "public" and "publics"?

Canadian Science Policy Centre

Making Publics (McGill)

Canadian Science Writers Association

Canadian Science and Technology Museum

Science Communication/Journalism Programs in Canada

Science Media Centre of Canada

Aldo Leopold Leaders Program 

preparing environmental scientists to engage with the public and interact with the media.                      Article

Council of Canadian Academies

Other (Links)

Articles (In Process)

Upcoming Theme News and Events

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Past Theme News and Events

(Je)

Déc

05

Ford Dollittle is interviewed at 8:15am Dec. 5 on CBC Radio One Information Morning about the Dec 7 2013 Hype in Science discussions.Link: http://www.cbc.ca/informationmorningns/archives/ [+]

(Me)

Oct

23

Influencers Panel Panel of influential decision-makers discussing results of the symposiumDate: Wed. Oct. 23, 2013 Time: 17:30 – 19:00 Location: Desmarais Building, Rm. 12-102 (12th floor),... [+]

(Me)

Oct

23

Influencers PanelPanel of influential decision-makers discussing results of the symposiumDate: Wed. Oct. 23, 2013 Time: 17:30 – 19:00 Location: Desmarais Building, Rm. 12-102 (12th floor), University... [+]

(Lu)

Oct

21

THE TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE RELATIONS BETWEEN SCIENCE, POLICY AND CITIZENSDr. Yves Gingras, Canada Research Chair in History and Sociology of Science, Université de Québec à Montréal Monday Oct. 21... [+]

(Lu)

Oct

21

SCIENCE AND SOCIETY 2013Science and Society 2013 Emerging Agendas for Citizens and the Sciences   Symposium October 21-23, 2013 University of Ottawa Campus More details, including program and... [+]

(Je)

Oct

03

CAN WE SUSTAIN DEMOCRACY, AND THE PLANET TOO? Examining Scientific Expertise in Public Life Dr. Philip Kitcher, John Dewey Professor of Philosophy, Columbia University Thurs. Oct. 3, 7PM Ondaatje... [+]

(Sa)

Juil

13

Human relationships with dogs, from the home front to the wild side Saturday, July 13, 2013, 7:30pm Coburg Coffee House 6085 Coburg Road Open Academy panel (and audience) discussion (free event)This... [+]

(Ve)

Juil

12

Beastly Passions and Compassionate Conservation: Redecorating Nature, Expanding Our Compassion Footprint, and Rewilding Our Hearts Friday, July 12 2013, 7:30 p.m. Scotiabank Auditorium Marion McCain... [+]

(Ve)

Mai

03

Social Science Funding under Siege in More Conservative Times: The Case of the U.S. National Science Foundation during the 1970s and early 1980s Mark Solovey, Professeur, Institute for the History... [+]

(Sa)

Avr

06

Come to the event of the year. Aelita: Queen of Mars has landed! The Halifax Independent Filmmaker's Festival launches with a special live musical screening of the first Soviet science fiction film... [+]

(Ma)

Fév

26

Science and Reason in the Public Sphere Sheila Jasanoff, Harvard's Kennedy School (Science and Technology Studies) Tues. Feb. 26 2013 320 Bethune College, York University, Toronto.Why does it often... [+]

(Lu)

Nov

05

The Canadian Science Policy Conference will be held in Calgary November 5–7 2012.Situating Science distributes the CSPC Call, with the hope that some of the STS and HPS community might want to try to... [+]

(Je)

Oct

25

"Co-Producing Care: Navigating Climate and Media Change" Candis Callison, School of Journalism, UBC Oct. 25th, 5PM Rm 1197, Buchanan TowerIn an era of immense media change where audiences, platforms... [+]

(Ve)

Oct

12

Women in Science,Engineering and Medicine SymposiumThis first Women in Science, Engineering and Medicine Symposium to commemorate 100 years since Canada appointed its first female professor. October... [+]

(Lu)

Juin

27

Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies, University of British Columbia Blog: Bently Allan's blog entry HERE Description: This two-day interdisciplinary workshop aims to use authority... [+]