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Introducing Science Communication: A Practical Guide
From discussions of climate change to the latest arguments around stem cell research, science has never been more topical and relevant to our everyday lives. Yet its intricacies are often hard for the general public to grasp. The key challenge for scientists and science communicators is to explain these scientific ideas and engage different groups with current debates.
This long-overdue book explores how to successfully communicate complex and sometimes controversial scientific issues. Investigating the practices behind a range of traditional media and more interactive approaches, the book looks at how professional communicators interact with and present science communication in all its guises. It explores the historical background of science communication and examines how science continues to be referred to and used throughout popular culture, the media, and museums. Practical chapters explain key methods and give tips on overcoming communication issues and problems, whilst introducing the reader to a theoretical understanding of science communication.
Written and edited by pioneering and experienced professionals in the field, this is an essential text for students and practitioners learning how to effectively communicate science.
This long-overdue book explores how to successfully communicate complex and sometimes controversial scientific issues. Investigating the practices behind a range of traditional media and more interactive approaches, the book looks at how professional communicators interact with and present science communication in all its guises. It explores the historical background of science communication and examines how science continues to be referred to and used throughout popular culture, the media, and museums. Practical chapters explain key methods and give tips on overcoming communication issues and problems, whilst introducing the reader to a theoretical understanding of science communication.
Written and edited by pioneering and experienced professionals in the field, this is an essential text for students and practitioners learning how to effectively communicate science.
- GenresScience
192 pages, Hardcover
First published December 8, 2009
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
October 1, 2014
The book: Introducing Science Communication
The editors: Mark Brake, author, and Emma Weitkamp, senior lecturer in science communication.
The subject: An introductory textbook for students of science communication.
Why I chose it: I am interested in science communication as a career, but not sure I want to do a Masters in it. (I certainly don't want to do one at my old university!)
The rating: Four out of five stars
What I thought of it: This book was published back in 2010, or at least my edition of it was. This means it is rather out of date, particularly when it comes to talking about the internet and the opportunities it might offer. This field just moves so quickly, it must be tricky to consider using textbooks at all.
I don't really have a great deal to say about this book; it was just a pretty solid textbook, despite being a bit behind the times. One feature I really liked was the exercises, designed to get you practising whatever area of sci-comm most interests you. I like that lots of different kinds of communication were given equal weight. Sometimes the language was a bit academic, but that is to be expected. This book offers a really good overview, not going into too much detail about anything, but giving enough so that you feel you understand it better. It's also perfectly pitched to students and those first starting out in the wonderful world of sci-comm with a good mix between theory and practical advice.
I would recommend this to anyone new to science communication, but don't make it the only thing you read. There are a ton of online resources, as well as other books, that give more in-depth information, but this is a good springboard with exercises to help you practise. The fact there's such a variety of subjects covered means you'll probably find at least one chapter useful.
(I also rather like the cover art and colour scheme, just so you know.)
Just one more thing: This might be a bit uncouth of me, but while looking up the editors I found this and this. Dearie me.
The editors: Mark Brake, author, and Emma Weitkamp, senior lecturer in science communication.
The subject: An introductory textbook for students of science communication.
Why I chose it: I am interested in science communication as a career, but not sure I want to do a Masters in it. (I certainly don't want to do one at my old university!)
The rating: Four out of five stars
What I thought of it: This book was published back in 2010, or at least my edition of it was. This means it is rather out of date, particularly when it comes to talking about the internet and the opportunities it might offer. This field just moves so quickly, it must be tricky to consider using textbooks at all.
I don't really have a great deal to say about this book; it was just a pretty solid textbook, despite being a bit behind the times. One feature I really liked was the exercises, designed to get you practising whatever area of sci-comm most interests you. I like that lots of different kinds of communication were given equal weight. Sometimes the language was a bit academic, but that is to be expected. This book offers a really good overview, not going into too much detail about anything, but giving enough so that you feel you understand it better. It's also perfectly pitched to students and those first starting out in the wonderful world of sci-comm with a good mix between theory and practical advice.
I would recommend this to anyone new to science communication, but don't make it the only thing you read. There are a ton of online resources, as well as other books, that give more in-depth information, but this is a good springboard with exercises to help you practise. The fact there's such a variety of subjects covered means you'll probably find at least one chapter useful.
(I also rather like the cover art and colour scheme, just so you know.)
Just one more thing: This might be a bit uncouth of me, but while looking up the editors I found this and this. Dearie me.
Displaying 1 of 1 review