Understanding the public isn’t rocket science, but are scientists able to?

The output from a set of workshops entitled ‘Improving the Scientific Community’s Understanding of Public Concerns about Science and Technology’ run by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences has recently caught the attention of the international scientific blogosphere.

Chris Mooney’s final report ‘Do Scientists Understand the Public?’ discusses the process and his accompanying article in the Washington Post asserts that, in contrast to what is often assumed, a public that is more scientifically informed will not necessarily side with science more frequently. Mooney’s analysis has raised a strong debate because it outlines politics as the dominant determinant in public understanding of science and, thus, more or ‘better’ information can be redundant in citizens’ decision-making process.

Mooney’s article, and indeed insights from surveys including Public Attitudes to Science 2008, reflects the importance of understanding the public’s diverse range of ideological and political views and opinions when defining science-based policy. This has important implications for dialogue and deliberation practitioners as well as policy makers.

However, the article also highlights the complexity of science communication and is not the first time that scientists have been criticised on their understanding of the public. Science blogger Frank Swain is often critical of sceptics’ approaches to communication, arguing how it limits reach and can exclude certain groups from the wider community. There are also fine lines to be drawn between education of, and engagement with, the public as active partners in science rather than passive observers, as depicted here in this discussion from the USA.

There is an interesting compilation of comments on this issue here, from a collection of people practising ways to communicate with, and inform, the public. You can also read comments from the UK and contribute your opinion on the relationship of scientists with the public on the Sciencewise-ERC forum.

Sciencewise-ERC is coordinating a Science for All initiative to help describe different types of public engagement. The project aims to help champions and users of public engagement to be clear what type of public engagement is appropriate in different situations. If you’d like to be kept informed of developments or to comment on draft materials, please email Isabel Spence on isabel.spence@bis.gsi.gov.uk.