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

(Fri)

Feb

14

Teaching About Science Part 3: Thinking About Science: Certificates and Minors February 14, 2014 11:30-12:15pm Alumni Room, University Club, Dalhousie University 6259 Alumni Crescent (off of South... [+]

(Fri)

Feb

14

Social media in scholarly communication: what is the meaning of Mendeley reader counts and tweets? Stefanie Haustein, École de bibliothéconomie et des sciences de l'information, Université de... [+]

(Sat)

Feb

08

Bob MacDonald from Quirks and Quarks interviews Ford Doolittle, Professor Emeritus in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Dalhousie University and recent winner of the NSERC Herzberg Gold Medal in... [+]

(Wed)

Feb

05

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

(Tue)

Feb

04

How We May Think: Imaging and Writing Technologies Across the History of the Neurosciences York: Feb. 4, 2014, 12:30Speaker:  Cornelius Borck,  Lübeck  http://www.imgwf.uni-... [+]

(Mon)

Feb

03

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

(Mon)

Feb

03

The Lives of Evidence National Lecture Series See links to all parts below. Many questions are raised in light of the recent warnings about the “the death of evidence” and "War on Science". What do... [+]

(Fri)

Jan

31

Teaching About Science Part 2: Teaching About Laboratory Life January 31, 2014 11:30-12:15pm Alumni Room, University Club, Dalhousie University 6259 Alumni Crescent (off of South Street), Halifax,... [+]

(Thu)

Jan

30

Critical Conditions: Lessons for Health Studies at UBC and Beyond Panel Discussion with Professors Jacalyn Duffin, Queen’s; Susan Squier, Penn State; Judy Segal, UBC; Carla Nappi, UBC... [+]

(Fri)

Jan

24

Les dérives de l'évaluation de la recherche. Du bon usage de la bibliométrie Yves Gingras, titulaire de la Chaire de recherche du Canada sur l'histoire et la sociologie des sciences Vendredi 24... [+]

(Fri)

Jan

24

Teaching About Science Part 1: Teaching About Methodology Friday Jan. 24, 2014 11:30-12:15pm Alumni Room, University Club, Dalhousie University 6259 Alumni Crescent (off of South Street), Halifax, NS... [+]

(Fri)

Jan

24

Teaching About Science Fridays Jan. 24, Jan. 31, Feb 14, March 7, March 14, March 21, March 28, 2014 11:30-12:15pm Alumni Room, University Club, Dalhousie University 6259 Alumni Crescent (off of... [+]

(Thu)

Jan

02

When science gets overhyped Exploring how scientific journals get it wrong Marie Visca - December 13, 2013 Link: http://www.dal.ca/news/2013/12/13/when-science-gets-overhyped.htmlPeer review is at... [+]

(Thu)

Jan

02

Recalibrating the Science-Media Conversation Op-Ed Jacob Berkowitz, Writer in Residence, ISSP Full article here: http://www.issp.uottawa.ca/eng/documents/RecalibratingtheScience-MediaConversation.pdf... [+]

(Sat)

Dec

07

Hype in Science How can respectable journals publish such c**p? Saturday, December 7, 2013 Alumni Hall, New Academic Building, University of King’s College 6350 Coburg Rd, Halifax, Nova Scotia... [+]