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Welcome to Econnect Communication’s February 2006 newsletter –
‘Spin
or spun out?’.
This responds to current public debate and interest about the
role of science communicators in liaising with the media. As
science moves more and more into the public arena (a good thing,
we think), these sorts of debates are likely to be more common.
Econnect is currently involved in a project looking at the
interaction between the science, technology, engineering and
medical (STEM) sector with the humanities, arts, and social
sciences sector (HASS). Our studies so far reflect that public
engagement can be an important outcome of this interaction. Read
more about this in the following articles.
Melina Georgousakis, a PhD medical research student working at
QIMR, has joined Econnect for a three month internship as part
of her PhD sabbatical program. She’s interested in looking at
science communication as a future career, out of the lab. We
welcome her to our team.
Regards,
Econnect Communication
Jenni Metcalfe, Michelle Riedlinger, Lynne Goodwin, Mary
O’Callaghan, Sarah Bartlett and
Melina Georgousakis
In this issue: Spin or spun
out?
Spinning a
fine yarn
Meddling or
mitigating?
A career in
science communication
Go to
Parliament
Surf club
Quotation of the month
Subscribe
to our free monthly e-newsletter
Contact us
Spinning a fine yarn
By
Jenni Metcalfe
Leigh Dayton, science writer with The Australian,
writes about the recent
AAAS meeting in last weekend’s paper. She starts by
asking:
“What’s the best tactic when a member of your profession is
outed as a liar and a cheat? Is there an effective way to cut
through confusion about your work when critics take pot shots in
the media? And what about people who condemn your intellectual
bread-and-butter as unethical, or downright immoral?” (The
Weekend Australian, Feb 25-26, 2006, Inquirer p 25).
Leigh goes on to talk about stem cell, climate change and
intelligent design debates. Although, she doesn’t specifically
mention the role of the science communicator, she does mention
“the broader concerns expressed by meeting delegates about the
difficulties, as well as the benefits and satisfaction, of doing
public science in an increasingly public environment”.
So what is the role of the science communicator when
communicating controversial science? Do they create the spin
that their employer or client desires for image or funding
outcomes?
Communicating science to the general public, whether via the
media or some other outlet, does require a good story with an
angle that will capture their attention and imagination. But I
don’t believe we should ever distort the facts or hype or
exaggerate the information.
Here are my five top tips for responsible communication about
science:
1. Research
the story—do other reputable scientists have different views? If
so, acknowledge them even if you don’t agree with them. Give the
story balance.
2. Avoid
clichés that can unnecessarily ‘hype’ a story, such as
‘breakthrough’ and ‘world-first’—let the facts speak for
themselves.
3. Acknowledge
unknown information, gaps in research knowledge and
uncertainties—be honest and try and tell all sides of the story.
4. Check
drafts with as many people as possible—this helps to get the
facts as accurate as possible.
5. Make
your messages clear to avoid misunderstandings—consider the
question: what could the audience for this story get wrong
unless I stress the correct information?
I realise it is much easier to achieve this working as a
consultant or a freelancer, but I also think it is important for
science communicators to establish a credible professionalism,
no matter where they’re working.
Meddling or mitigating
By Sarah Bartlett
The current issue of the journal Nature reports that a
culture of fear and low morale is emanating from staff at
America’s Food and Drug Administration and Australia’s CSIRO (Nature
439, 896; 2006).
Feeling gagged or censored by their employers, government-funded
researchers are wondering about their role in public debate over
science policy.
CSIRO whistleblower Barney Foran, in an ABC TV exposé on
February 13, claims: ‘There are a lot of fearful science
managers second-guessing what they think government wants to
hear’.
Government’s role might be seen as mitigating fear in the
public’s response to inconclusive research, or avoiding
‘policy-prescriptive research’. Most companies, not
surprisingly, seek returns on their research investments.
But is there a need to protect, from political meddling and
commercial interest, the last pure bastion of free speech and
opportunity for debate that is the communication of science
amongst peers?
A
career in science communication
An ASC SE QLD event
Thursday, 2 March, 6.30pm - 8pm
Forgan Smith Building, Room E301, The University of Queensland
- What
do you need to be a science communicator?
- How
do you get into the field?
- What
challenges await you?
Over beer, wine and nibbles, Joan Leach (The University of
Queensland) talks to seven science communicators about their
careers.
Their backgrounds range from science reporting and consulting to
lobbying, research and science museums.
Please RSVP to
michelle@econnect.com.au
so that we can cater for you.
The Forgan Smith Building is in the Great Court at UQ.
See a map:
http://www.uq.edu.au/maps/?menu=1&id=27&z=2
Go to Parliament 28-29 March
‘Expanding Horizons’ is an opportunity for early-career
researchers and professionals to discuss their work with Members
of Parliament in Canberra.
This year’s theme is multi-disciplinary collaborations.
More than 60 MPs have already signed up! And all registrants
will have one-on-one meetings with federal MPs, to talk about
the value of their work.
For registration details, a draft program and tips on meeting
MPs, visit the CHASS website: www.chass.org.au
Surf club
Collaboration survey - win a case of wine!
How do people from the humanities, arts and social sciences
(HASS) work with their colleagues in science, technology,
engineering and medicine (STEM)?
What issues do they tackle?
How do they find each other?
What funding sources do they draw upon?
Complete a short survey on HASS-STEM collaboration and go into a
draw for a case of wine! You’ll find a link to the survey on the
CHASS home page
www.chass.org.au
Quotation of the month
“It is often difficult, with each sector pooh poohing the
approach as not their responsibility, but the rewards from the
users far outweighs these hurdles.”
Anonymous.
(A comment made in the HASS-STEM collaboration survey) |
