Transcript Dialogue and debate: the new challenges of Science

Mid-1990s
Dialogue and
debate: the new
challenges of
Science
Communication
Steve Miller
University College
London
Deficit
Model
Top down
One way
Paternalistic
BSE and GM
How neutral and/or
trustworthy is
science?
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Sheila Jasanoff: “Civic dislocation”
Trust in the government vanished, and people looked elsewhere for
information and advice. In the UK, public confidence … rests on the
reliability of persons … in the USA …trust rests in formal processes
Gregory and Miller: The public are not quick to think the worst of
scientists …the key is trust … established through the negotiation of a
mutual understanding
Ulrich Beck
Risk Society:
Towards a New
Modernity (1986)
From wealth distribution to risk distribution
The new paradigm: How can the risks and hazards systematically
produced be prevented, minimised, dramatised or channelled
“If the public only know what technical people know, they would be put
at ease” - wrong.
Even in their highly mathematical or technical garb, statements on risk
contain statements of the type that is how we want to live …
… in their concern with risk, the natural sciences have disempowered
themselves somewhat, forced themselves towards democracy.
2000 - the impact
of “scandals”
- a “crisis of trust”
…the new mood
for dialogue
At the dawn of the 21st Century …
our society is faced with the challenge
of finding its proper place in a world
shaken by economic and political
turbulence.
… science, technology and innovation
are indispensable to meet this
challenge.
However, there are indications that
the immense potential … is out of
step with European citizens …
Science activities need to centre
around the needs and aspirations of
Europe’s citizens to a greater extent
than at present.
The mood changes
across Europe
38 actions
involving
scientists,
governments
and the media
Different approaches
- PUS
- PUSH
- Culture Scientifique
POST Open Channels
Dialogue and debate - five questions
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Dia-logue v. mono-aud - who’s talking and who’s listening?
Policy orientation - who’s allowed in?
The role of the media - media values v. policy expectations
Consensus v. balanced opposition
Communication - who’s trained for what?
Dia-logue v. Mono-aud
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Is Dialogue the new Deficit Model - better persuasion
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Is Dialogue the new Deficit Model - the Dialogue “Experts”
•
Is Dialogue the new Deficit Model - the “wrong” answer
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Is Dialogue the new Deficit Model - who responds to what
Who’s allowed in?
1985: Scientist
must “consider it
their duty” to
communicate
Perugia
Science
Festival
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NOW:
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Policy advice - elite to elite
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Public consultation - representative citizens
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Public outcome - “confident consumers”
The role of the media
Much emphasis put on role
of the media - BUT
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Media have their own
agenda
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Media have their own
values
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Media have their own
practices
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Media “like” bad news
•
Media like conflict
Consensus v. balanced opposition
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Consensus conference model - homogenous public?
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Tradition - issues are explored
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Tradition - facts are contested
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Tradition - interests are different
Outcome - winners and losers
Communication
training
www.ensconet.org
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Modules for Science
Communication Training
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Writing for and talking to the media, plus media culture
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Presenting for policy makers and science centres
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Talking and listening
•
Communicating risk and controversy
Training enhances confidence …
… but does it make better communicators?
Dialogue and
Debate: the new
challenges of
Science
Communication
Steve Miller
University College
London
[email protected]