I was invited to speak about science communication at a meeting of chemists, in Lion (France). Having short time to present such a huge field, I decided to condense it in a three elements formula (there is one element, you will notice, it has been introduced for the first time). This presentation has been changed (more text) hoping that it will be self-explaining. Glad if you download and thankful if you send me a notice!
6. Scientist is either
a monster or a hero.
The stereotype of scientist
has to change.
Scientists are professionals,
normal people doing their job
7. Obstacle #2
The general level of scientific literacy
is quite low.
Look at the sort of questions
specialists have chosen to get a sense
of
scientific literacy…
9. Electrons smaller than atoms: this is true for
47% of the respondents in a Nature published
study (1989)
Laser formed by sound waves: false for 48%
Continents drift: true for 77%
All radioactivity is human made: false for 66%
17% refer to theory and experimentation
11. Scientists worry: public communication may badly
affect career
Scientists feel unable to communicate
3/4 scientists regard a lack of public knowledge,
education or interest in science as a barrier
1/3 scientists see the media as a barrier, not a
mean to reach out
Few scientists participated to communication
activities (public talks, speaking to media, open
days, writing)
Scientists fear speaking as death and void
Scientists do not feel free to talk (pressures from
leaders)
15. What people think of scientists
What people know about science
What scientists think about the public
Questions about language
The 4 Obstacles
to Science Communication
22. Be
Inspired
Watch other speakers and analyse
their speach. What was strong in
their delivery? What was weak or
unconvincing? What could you try
on yourself?