Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

"Why do we need to communicate science? Is science, with its highly specialised language and its arcane methods, too distant to be understood by the public? Is it really possible for citizens to participate meaningfully in scientific research projects and debate? Should scientists be mandated to engage with the public to facilitate better understanding of science? How can they best communicate their special knowledge to be intelligible? These and a plethora of related questions are being raised by researchers and politicians alike as they have become convinced that science and society need to draw nearer to one another.Once the persuasion took hold that science should open up to the public and these questions were raised, it became clear that coming up with satisfactory answers would be a complex challenge. The inaccessibility of scientific language and methods, due to ever increasing specialisation, is at the base of its very success. Thus, translating specialised knowledge to become understandable, interesting and relevant to various publics creates particular perils. This is exacerbated by the ongoing disruption of the public discourse through the digitisation of communication platforms. For example, the availability of medical knowledge on the internet and the immense opportunities to inform oneself about health risks via social media are undermined by the manipulable nature of this technology that does not allow its users to distinguish between credible content and misinformation.In countries around the world, scientists, policy-makers and the public have high hopes for science communication: that it may elevate its populations educationally, that it may raise the level of sound decision-making for people in their daily lives, and that it may contribute to innovation and economic well-being. This collection of current reflections gives an insight into the issues that have to be addressed by research to reach these noble goals, for South Africa and by South Africans in particular."

Communication studies --- Science: general issues --- Communication in science. --- Communication in science --- South Africa. --- Communication in research --- Science communication --- Science information --- Scientific communications --- Science --- Afrika Selatan --- Azania --- Derom Afriḳah --- Dorem-Afriḳe --- Iriphabhuliki Yaseningizimu Afrika --- I͡U.A.R. --- I͡UAR --- I͡Uzhno-Afrikanskai͡a Respublika --- I͡Uzhno-Afrikanskiĭ Soi͡uz --- Južnoafrički savez --- Nan Fei --- Nanfei --- Republic of South Africa --- República da Africa do Sul --- Republika Południowej Afryki --- RSA --- Sud Africa --- Sudafrica --- Suid-Afrika --- Unie van Suid-Afrika --- Union of South Africa --- África del Sur --- África do Sul --- Afrique du Sud --- Dél-Afrika --- Dél-Afrikai Köztársaság --- Güney Afrika --- Güney Afrika Cumhuriyeti --- iRiphabhulikhi yeNingizimu Afrika --- iRiphabhuliki yaseNingizimu Afrika --- iRiphabliki yeSewula Afrika --- iRiphabliki yomZantsi Afrika --- Janūb Ifrīqiy --- Jihoafrická republika --- Juhoafrická republika --- Jumhūrīyat Janūb Ifrīqiy --- Južná Afrika --- Minami Afurika Kyōwakoku --- Nan Fei Gongheguo --- Nanfei Gongheguo --- Repabliki ya Afrika-Borwa --- Rephaboliki ya Aforika Borwa --- Rephaboliki ya Afrika Borwa --- Repubblica del Sud Africa --- República da África do Sul --- República de Sudáfrica --- Republiek van Suid-Afrika --- Republik Südafrika --- Republik Suedafrika --- République Sud Africaine --- Riphabliki ya Afrika Dzonga --- Riphabul̳iki ya Afurika Tshipembe --- Sud África --- Sudáfrica --- Südafrika --- Africa, South

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

"Why do we need to communicate science? Is science, with its highly specialised language and its arcane methods, too distant to be understood by the public? Is it really possible for citizens to participate meaningfully in scientific research projects and debate? Should scientists be mandated to engage with the public to facilitate better understanding of science? How can they best communicate their special knowledge to be intelligible? These and a plethora of related questions are being raised by researchers and politicians alike as they have become convinced that science and society need to draw nearer to one another. Once the persuasion took hold that science should open up to the public and these questions were raised, it became clear that coming up with satisfactory answers would be a complex challenge. The inaccessibility of scientific language and methods, due to ever increasing specialisation, is at the base of its very success. Thus, translating specialised knowledge to become understandable, interesting and relevant to various publics creates particular perils. This is exacerbated by the ongoing disruption of the public discourse through the digitisation of communication platforms. For example, the availability of medical knowledge on the internet and the immense opportunities to inform oneself about health risks via social media are undermined by the manipulable nature of this technology that does not allow its users to distinguish between credible content and misinformation. In countries around the world, scientists, policy-makers and the public have high hopes for science communication: that it may elevate its populations educationally, that it may raise the level of sound decision-making for people in their daily lives, and that it may contribute to innovation and economic well-being. This collection of current reflections gives an insight into the issues that have to be addressed by research to reach these noble goals, for South Africa and by South Africans in particular."

Communication in science.