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• Date of publication Jun 19, 2009 Category: Commentary

  The theatre, (art) and science: between amazement and applause!

  by Salvatore Fruguglietti

  There have been countless innovations in the realm of science museology after the foundation of the Exploratorium of San Francisco and of the Ontario Science Center of Toronto with, among other things, the introduction of the exhibits hands-on, the use of new technologies and the arrival of virtuality.But most of all a new dialogue was launched, also as a form of transformation of reality. And what is drama but fiction and transformation of reality?This statement is the basis for the belief that museums and the theatre should continue, if not even start, a path to move closer, so as to make their languages work at the service of each other.A dialogical interaction which is difficult (as both languages and their interpreters crave for superiority), strong (the place for communication becomes multi-channel), but necessary (in view of a systemic approach of science communication).It is necessary especially to build an all-encompassing museum to fully play a sociological role of study, interpretation and determination of human society.

  Volume 8 • Issue 02 • 2009

• Date of publication Jun 19, 2009 Category: Book Review

  The challenges of communicating climate change

  by Emiliano Feresin

  The climate change issue has become increasingly present in our society in the last decade and central also to communication studies. In the e-book “Communicating Climate Change: Discourses, Mediations and Perceptions”, edited by Anabela Carvalho, various scholars investigate how climate change challenges communication by looking at three main aspects: the discourses of a variety of social actors on climate change; the reconstruction of those discourses in the media; the citizens’ perceptions, understandings and attitudes in relation to climate change.

  Volume 8 • Issue 02 • 2009

• Date of publication Jun 19, 2009 Category: Commentary

  Arts and science under the sign of Leonardo. The case of the National Museum of Science and Technology ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ of Milan

  by Claudio Giorgione

  Drawing on the example of Leonardo da Vinci, who was able to combine arts and science in his work, the National Museum of Science and Technology of Milan has always pursued the blending and the dialogue of humanistic and scientific knowledge. It has employed this approach in all of its activities, from the set design of exhibition departments to the acquisition of collections and, more recently, in the dialogue with the public. Now more than ever, following a renewal path for the Museum, these guidelines are being subject to research to achieve a new and more up-to-date interpretation.

  Volume 8 • Issue 02 • 2009

• Date of publication Jun 03, 2009 Category: Article

  Quality and integrity in scientific writing: prerequisites for quality in science communication

  by Marie-Claude Roland

  Standards and Good Practice guidelines provide explicit criteria for maintaining quality and integrity in science. But research practices are now openly questioned. I defend the idea that the tension between norms and practices in scientific writing must be addressed primarily by the scientific community if quality of the sources in the process of science communication is to be guaranteed. This paper provides evidence that scientific writing and researchers’writing practices do not reflect expected quality criteria. Evidence is based on four complementary analyses of: (i) communication manuals, journals’ recommendations to authors and the norms they convey (ii) feedback given by reviewers (ii) interviews and questionnaires (iv) researchers’ written productions and writing practices. I show that researchers’ writing and communication practices are very often in total contradiction with the norms and standards the scientific community has established. Unless researchers can improve and guarantee quality and integrity of the sources, the whole system of science communication will be threatened.

  Volume 8 • Issue 02 • 2009

• Date of publication May 18, 2009 Category: Article

  Best practice in communications training for public engagement with science, technology, engineering and mathematics

  by Joana Silva , Karen Bultitude

  Effective training in key communications skills is critical for successful public engagement. However, what are the secrets to designing and delivering an effectual training course? This paper outlines key findings from a research study into communication training programmes for public engagement with STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). The research focused on training in direct communication methods, (as separate from media training) and encompassed both trainers and trainees, the latter group spanning across both scientists and explainers. The findings indicated that training courses are effective at increasing involvement in science communication events and trainees feel more confident and able to engage due to training. An interactive style was found to be a key element of training courses. Demonstrations of good practice followed by own performance with feedback were also important, preferably involving a ‘real’ audience. A list of guidelines on best practice has been developed which offers practical advice.

  Volume 8 • Issue 02 • 2009

• Date of publication Apr 30, 2009 Category: Article

  Opening the Test Tube: what do we know about research on science communication and the teaching of microbiology in Brazil?

  by Daniela Franco Carvalho Jacobucci , Giuliano Buzá Jacobucci

  Brazilian research has grown intensely in all areas of microbiology, with the increase in the amount of governmental resources for the sector and the strengthening of a greater number of research groups. However, very few academic studies deal with research about teaching and science communication in microbiology. There is no in-depth study of how this topic is currently being divulgated in communication journals, didactic books and the Internet, or about the interest and the difficulties faced by researchers in communicating microbiology to the general public. This paper investigates academic production on science communication and the teaching of microbiology in Brazil and contextualizes the need for studies about the ways and means through which this activity is being carried out.

  Volume 8 • Issue 02 • 2009

• Date of publication Apr 16, 2009 Category: Article

  Communicative challenges in assessing progress towards environmental quality objectives

  by Victoria Wibeck

  Assessment of trends in the state of the environment constitutes one important aspect of efforts to achieve environmental sustainability. Assessments are often undertaken via indicators which measure progress towards environmental objectives and interim targets. This paper starts from the assumption that different types of environmental indicators have different implications for the public communication and the societal dialogue about the state of the environment and the measures needed to increase ecological sustainability. The paper concludes that it is important to evaluate environmental indicators on the basis of their communicative potential. It is demonstrated how science-based assessment of progress towards environmental objectives may fulfil different aims. Each of these aims may be linked to particular types of indicators, as well as to particular ideas of how to communicate uncertainties, and to particular views of the role of the public in the system of environmental objectives.

  Volume 8 • Issue 02 • 2009

• Date of publication Mar 20, 2009 Category: Commentary

  Master in Scientific, Medical and Environmental Communication

  by Vladimir de Semir

  Public communication of sciences is of strategic relevance in the transition from the industrial society to the knowledge society. The Master’s Course in Scientific, Medical and Environmental Communication of Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona (Spain) responds to this economic, social and cultural need. The result: professionals who clearly understand the key aspects of the transmission of scientific knowledge to society through the different essential communication channels in multiple organizations as, among others, mass media, institutional and public relations and museums. This initiative collaborates also to build informed and educated citizens, who understand, accompany and are able to participate in the necessary and unavoidable adaptation to this new society.

  Volume 8 • Issue 01 • 2009

• Date of publication Mar 20, 2009 Category: Book Review

  Scientists' virtues matter. More than ever

  by Alessandro Delfanti

  In his latest book “The scientific life. A moral history of a late modern vocation”, the social historian of science Steven Shapin addresses the public image of contemporary scientists, their virtues and vocations. Who are, and how they represent themselves, those scientists who work on the edge between industry and academy, and who are responsible for the radical uncertainty embedded in the contemporary production of scientific knowledge? If “people matter”, as Shapin states, the genealogy he provides should encourage us to dig more deeply in the main stage of the virtues and ethos of scientists: the mass media.

  Volume 8 • Issue 01 • 2009

• Date of publication Mar 20, 2009 Category: Commentary

  Master in science communication: an overview

  by Donato Ramani

  Science, politics, industry, media, state-run and private organisations, private citizens: everyone has their own demands, their own heritage of knowledge, thoughts, opinions, aspirations, needs. Different worlds that interact, question one another, discuss; in one word: they communicate. It is a complicated process that requires professionals «who clearly understand the key aspects of the transmission of scientific knowledge to society through the different essential communication channels for multiple organizations». The purpose of this commentary is to cast some light upon the goals, the philosophy and the organisation behind some European and extra-European Master’s degrees in science communication. We have asked the directors of each of them to describe their founding elements, their origins, their specific features, their structure, their goals, the reasons why they were established and the evolution they have seen over their history.

  Master in Scientific, Medical and Environmental Communication

  by Vladimir de Semir

  The Master's degree of Trieste

  by Pietro Greco

  A graduate course for science communicators: a Mexican approach

  by Elaine Reynoso-Haynes

  Masters (MSc) in Science Communication. Dublin City University

  by Brian Trench

  Master's Degree Program in Scientific and Cultural Communication: Preliminary reports on an innovative experience in Brazil

  by Carlos A. Vogt, Marcelo Knobel and Vera Regina Toledo Camargo

  MSc Science Communication, Science Communication Unit, UWE, Bristol

  by Clare Wilkinson, Karen Bultitude and Emma Weitkamp

  Volume 8 • Issue 01 • 2009