Michel Claessens – författare

The book contains a series of 40 articles written by forward-thinking speakers who presented their findings at the "Communicating European Research 2005" event which was organised by the European Commission in Brussels on 14-15 November 2005.

This event was attended by well over 2,100 participants. The contents of this book clearly illustrate that a highly important element of research projects funded by the European Union is communication. Authors include scientists, journalists and communication professionals.

The book covers the main aspects of science and technology communication today and addresses topical questions such as: Is science journalism necessary at all? Should communication become one of the basic skills of scientists, as compulsory as thinking, testing and experimenting? Should our schools of the future put scientific literacy at the top of the science curriculum? Do we need science critics? Does the coverage of science in the media reflect the choice of the editors or does it accurately mirror the public’s interest? How does one capture the public’s attention when promoting science on local, commercial or entertainment radio? Why would we need standards in science communication? How can we remove any obstacles to communication among researchers and between researchers?

The book casts light on these issues and many others. It offers a selection of good practices and professional services to scientists and science communicators, and should help them design and carry out their communication activities with a European and international dimension.

Science communication, as a multidisciplinary field, has developed remarkably in recent years. It is now a distinct and exceedingly dynamic science that melds theoretical approaches with practical experience. Formerly well-established theoretical models now seem out of step with the social reality of the sciences, and the previously clear-cut delineations and interacting domains between cultural fields have blurred. Communicating Science in Social Contexts examines that shift, which itself depicts a profound recomposition of knowledge fields, activities and dissemination practices, and the value accorded to science and technology.

Communicating Science in Social Contexts is the product of long-term effort that would not have been possible without the research and expertise of the Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST) Network and the editors. For nearly 20 years, this informal, international network has been organizing events and forums for discussion of the public communication of science.

Aujourd’hui, il semblerait que la science ne passe plus auprès du grand public. Alors que, s’agissant des OGM, des téléphones portables et des antennes électromagnétiques, les données scientifiques disponibles à l’heure actuelle confirment pour l’essentiel l’absence de risque avéré pour la santé humaine, l’information reste cantonnée dans les labos. La ligne semble être coupée entre le monde de la recherche et le public. Dans les grands débats médiatisés de notre époque, la communauté scientifique est d’ailleurs souvent aux abonnés absents. Alors que chercheurs et citoyens prônent un vrai dialogue entre la science et la société, celui-ci peine à se mettre en place. Où est donc le problème ? Du côté des médias, que l’on dit traiter ces sujets avec trop de superficialité ? Du côté des scientifiques, que l’on sait trop peu engagés dans la communication publique ? La science paie-t-elle là le prix d’une trop grande proximité avec les pouvoirs politico-industriels ? Pour tenter de répondre à ces questions, l’ouvrage décortique les canaux de l’information et de la communication scientifique. Il examine notamment l’impact des nouveaux modes de communication — blogues, tweets, etc. — sur la technoscience.

This book is a fresh and readable account of the Covid-19 pandemic and how scientists and medical doctors are helping governments to manage the crisis. The book contains interviews and exchanges with dozens of scientists, doctors, experts, government representatives, and journalists. Why do some of the most scientifically advanced countries have the highest Covid-19 mortality? During the pandemic, the research community has been at the heart of—and actor in—a global scandal. Why has science failed? With the help of numerous testimonies from China, France, the UK and the USA in particular, the book provides an insider’s view on this major crisis. Although the governments of these countries based their Covid-19 strategy on science, scientists failed to have a decisive influence on decision-makers—except in China—, which created genuine “time bombs.” The accelerated development of vaccines does not erase past months’ errors. The crisis led to the development of “science politics”at an unprecedented rate. More worryingly, experts themselves acknowledge that they did not rise to the challenge. Covid-19 also highlighted the weakness of democratic regimes and the power of technocapitalism. Countries pulled down their blinds, locked their doors, and promoted national approaches rather than international cooperation. The author proposes to set up an international framework on health risk to co-construct decision-making. He advocates political distancing in order to put the basics first: develop science, fight ignorance.

The author, Michel Claessens on the Science for Policy Podcast from SAPEA