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

(Thu)

Apr

10

Those Who Have the Gold Make the Evidence: The Pharmaceutical Industry and Clinical Trials Joel Lexchin, Professor, School of Health Policy and Management, York University Thursday, April 10 2014,... [+]

(Thu)

Apr

10

From the ‘Bankruptcy of Science’ to the ‘Death of Evidence’: Science and its Value Stathis Psillos, Rotman Canada Research Chair in Philosophy of Science, Department of Philosophy, Western... [+]

(Fri)

Mar

28

Teaching About Science Part 7: How to Work Together March 28, 2014 11:30-12:15pm Alumni Room, University Club, Dalhousie University 6259 Alumni Crescent (off of South Street), Halifax, NSPanel... [+]

(Fri)

Mar

21

Teaching About Science Part 6: Teaching About Images. March 21, 2014 11:30-12:15pm Games Room, Dalhousie University Club 6259 Alumni Crescent (off of South Street), Halifax, NSPresenter: Jim Brown (... [+]

(Thu)

Mar

20

Patents, Progress, and Commercialized Medicine Jim Brown, Professor of Philosophy at University of Toronto Thursday, March 20 2014, 7:30 PM Alumni Hall, New Academic Building, University of King’s... [+]

(Tue)

Mar

18

Congratulations to Atlantic Node manager Ford Doolittle for winning the NSERC Herzberg Medal for "sustained excellence and influence" in Canadian research that has "substantially advanced" science or... [+]

(Fri)

Mar

14

Teaching About Science Part 5: Teaching About Ethics March 14, 2014 11:30-12:15pm Alumni Room, University Club, Dalhousie University 6259 Alumni Crescent (off of South Street), Halifax, NSPresenter:... [+]

(Fri)

Mar

07

Articles and radio interviews with Scott Findlay related to his talk on Governing in the Dark: Evidence, Accountability and the Future of Canadian Science, Part 3 of The Lives of Evidence national... [+]

(Fri)

Mar

07

Teaching About Science Part 4: Teaching About Research March 7, 2014 11:30-12:15pm Alumni Room, University Club, Dalhousie University 6259 Alumni Crescent (off of South Street), Halifax, NSPresenter... [+]

(Thu)

Mar

06

Science Communication and Stereotypes: A Public Forum Th. March 6, 6:30pm Scotiabank Theatre, Sobeys Building, Saint Mary's University 903 Robie Street, Halifax.Most of us have an unconscious bias... [+]

(Wed)

Mar

05

The national Situating Science project and partners are pleased to present the third talk in the national lecture series:   The Lives of Evidence A multi-part national lecture series examining... [+]

(Fri)

Feb

28

Les élèves québécois sont-ils intéressés par les sciences et la technologie à l'école et par les métiers associés ? Patrice Potvin et Abdelkrim Hasni, cotitulaires de la Chaire de recherche sur... [+]

(Fri)

Feb

28

The national Situating Science project and partners are pleased to present the second talk in:The Lives of Evidence A multi-part national lecture series examining the cultural, ethical, political,... [+]

(Thu)

Feb

27

Fear and Loathing in Medical Research Carl Elliot, Professor of Bioethics, University of Minnesota Thursday, Feb. 27 2014, 5 PM (refreshments start at 4:30 PM) Theatre B, Tupper Link, 5850 College St... [+]

(Tue)

Feb

25

From the FedCan Blog  - SSH NewsThursday, February 6, 2014"Know a grad student who's outside of or new to the field of History and Philosophy of Science or Science and Technology Studies and... [+]