Abstract
Science is not the unquestioned truth and platform for policy decisions it might have been. On the contrary, scientific results and issues are being debated, and dialog and two-way communication are key characteristics. A range of dialog events and formats has been developed, including science cafés, science parliaments and citizens’ conferences. However, mechanisms for bringing public opinion and expectations to policymakers are not that well developed and evaluated. The ‘mandate’ to do so is not only about empowerment; it really is important, especially for adult participants, that there is an interest in the outcome of the debate or activity, although the value of mutual learning and direct interaction with scientists should not be underestimated. Science communication events such as festivals, science centers and museums provide excellent opportunities to organize dialogs. Often, formal agreements connect organized events to policymaking institutions as stakeholders or funders, and as such they ought to be able to benefit from their own networks in terms of legitimacy and the mandate for debates. Furthermore, they may provide an informal setting, a ‘third place’, that is a neutral ground for both scientists and members of the general public. Online activities, including individual initiatives and groups (for example, on Facebook) are briefly discussed. To some extent, science events’ and science centers’ internet presences ought to be an advantage and a credible starting point for online dialog development.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
Royal Society of Chemistry website (n.d.). Retrieved 26 August 2011 from http://my.rsc.org/chemistrylandscape
- 2.
References
Besley, J. C., Kramer, V. L., & Toumey, C. (2008). Interpersonal discussion following citizen engagement about nanotechnology: What, if anything, do they say? Science Communication, 30(2), 209–235. Retrieved from http://scx.sagepub.com/cgi/doi/10.1177/1075547008324670
Davies, S., McCallie, E., Simonsson, E., Lehr, J. L., & Duensing, S. (2009). Discussing dialogue: Perspectives on the value of science dialogue events that do not inform policy. Public Understanding of Science, 18, 338–353. Originally published online, 1 October 2008.
EC (European Commission) (2011). Green Paper on a common strategic framework for research and innovation funding: Analysis of public consultation. Retrieved August 27, 2011, from http://ec.europa.eu/research/horizon2020/pdf/consultation-conference/summary_analysis.pdf#view=fitpagemode=none
Eusea (European Science Events Association). (2005). Science communication events in Europe, 2005. Göteborg: Eusea.
Jasanoff, S. (2005). Judgment under siege: The three-body problem of expert legitimacy. In S. Maasen & P. Weingart (Eds.), Democratization of expertise? Exploring novel forms of scientific advice in political decision-making (Sociology of the Sciences Yearbook, Vol. 24, pp. 209–224). Dordrecht: Springer Science + Business Media B.V.
Neresini, F., Dimopoulos, K., Kallfass, M., & Peters, H. P. (2009). Exploring a black box: Cross-national study of visit effects on visitors to large physics research centres in Europe. Science Communication, 30, 506–533.
Oldenburg, R. (1999). The great good place. Cambridge, MA: DaCapo Press.
Rowe, G., & Frewer, L. J. (2005). A typology of public engagement mechanisms. Science, Technology and Human Values, 30(2), 251–290.
Salmi, H. (2010). 2WAYS Impact Study. Retrieved August 25, 2011, from http://www.twoways.eu/Shared/Uploads/Files/2WAYS_ImpactSurvey_lowestres.pdf
Stöhr, C., & Chabay, I. (2010). Science and participation in governance of the Baltic Sea fisheries. Environmental Policy and Governance, 20(5s), 350–363.
Sutcliffe, H. (2011). Distinguishing public engagement: When is it market research, PR and sales? Retrieved August 30, 2011, from http://www.matterforall.org/blog/index.php/category/public-involvement/page/6/
Vetenskap & Allmänhet. (2011). Vetenskapen i Samhället—resultat från SOM-undersökningen 2010. VA-rapport 3. Retrieved from http://va.se/downloads/varapport2011_3.pdf
Young, N., & Matthews, R. (2007). Experts’ understanding of the public: Knowledge control in a risk controversy. Public Understanding of Science, 16, 123–144.
ZIRN & W-i-D (ZIRN/Universität Stuttgart & Wissenschaft-im-Dialog) (2011). Abschlussbericht Forschungsprojekt ‘Wissenschaft debattieren!’ ZIRN & W-i-D.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Riise, J. (2012). From Public to Policy. In: Schiele, B., Claessens, M., Shi, S. (eds) Science Communication in the World. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4279-6_19
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4279-6_19
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-007-4278-9
Online ISBN: 978-94-007-4279-6
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)