Ethics and Practice in Science Communication

by Susanna Priest (Editor), Jean Goodwin (Editor), Michael Dahlstrom (Editor)

From climate to vaccination, stem-cell research to evolution, scientific work is often the subject of public controversies in which scientists and science communicators find themselves enmeshed. Especially with such hot-button topics, science communication plays vital roles. Gathering together the work of a multidisciplinary, international collection of scholars, the editors of Ethics and Practice in Science Communication present an enlightening dialogue involving these communities, one that articulates the often differing objectives and ethical responsibilities communicators face in bringing a range of scientific knowledge to the wider world.

In three sections—how ethics matters, professional practice, and case studies—contributors to this volume explore the many complex questions surrounding the communication of scientific results to nonscientists. Has the science been shared clearly and accurately? Have questions of risk, uncertainty, and appropriate representation been adequately addressed? And, most fundamentally, what is the purpose of communicating science to the Is it to inform and empower? Or to persuade—to influence behavior and policy? By inspiring scientists and science communicators alike to think more deeply about their work, this book reaffirms that the integrity of the communication of science is vital to a healthy relationship between science and society today.

Genres: Nonfiction

336 pages, Hardcover

Published March 7, 2018

Reviews

[Xandria · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of the information presented in this book is great and insightful. The case studies at the end are fantastic, the last being my favorite. So why the lower rating?

1. This book is about communicating science to the public. How can we do that? What does that look like? How do we prevent misunderstandings? How can science communication help create democratic debate? The book attempts to give some answers for all of these questions and more. If this book is really about communicating science to the public then why does the book itself fail to do this?

2. The book is filled with academic jargon. Its audience is academia. WHY WOULD YOU WRITE A BOOK ABOUT COMMUNICATING SCIENCE WITH THE PUBLIC AND THEN NOT DO SO?

3. The all-caps is my biggest critique. Chapter 2 is a TERRIBLE example of communication within public realms and within academia. Why do I, as someone about to graduate with her Masters, struggle with basic understanding of what some of these authors are trying to say?

4. They created a book about one thing but then made their target audience another thing. That is the most damning critique I have. The ideas, like I said, were good. I just can't understand why they wouldn't make this book accessible and better well written particularly for a wider audience. Geeze.

[Lore LongSoulSystem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Justo la lectura que necesitaba y buscaba. Refrescante y necesario, complejo pero claro. ¡Quiero más!