We have a pretty clear idea of what "science" means. We also have a pretty good idea of what 'communication' means. But when put together, the two terms define a new field, extremely popular in the West and less practiced in Romania: science communication, to a non-specialist audience, beyond the usual conferences, colloquia or scientific journals.
Communicating science is as different from a specialist conference as a McDonalds advert is from the list of ingredients on the box.
But the phrase "science communication" is increasingly used when it comes to funding, grant competitions, projects and especially European ones. Some background information on what this concept means.
The idea that science and research results should be communicated in such a way that they are easily understood by the public emerged as a need for the scientific community to secure society's support. Communicating with the public in the field of research is on the one hand a responsibility and an act of transparency, and on the other hand a self-serving behaviour, a way of asserting oneself in a market that has not been spared by the ubiquitous competition.
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Scientific communication encompasses communication between:
- Groups within the scientific community, including academia and business
- Scientific and media community
- Scientific community and public
- The scientific community and government or other institutions/persons in positions of power or authority
- Scientific community and government or other institutions/people who can influence public policy
- Industries (producing) and public
- Media and public
- Government and public
In terms of the areas it encompasses, science communication refers to:
- Science lobby (communication with business/industry/authorities)
- Scientific popularisation
- Public relations science
- Marketing science
- Education/ Edutainment - is sometimes seen as a special branch of science communication aimed at a particular target group
As informal activities gathered under the umbrella of scientific communication we mention:
- Interactive organisation of exhibits in a museum or science centre
- Media programmes, reports, features, articles on science in newspapers, television, radio or documentaries
- Science popularisation books or science popularisation magazines
- Science clubs
- Websites
- Shows, science demonstrations
- Open Days
- Competitions, science festivals
It is not only the scientific community who are practitioners of science communication. As 'transmitters' of scientific information we also consider:
- Media - print, audio-video, internet
- Traditional museums
- Government or public sector programmes for understanding science
- Science centres
- Companies with R&D divisions
- The wider scientific community
Every month, I send a newsletter about Science & Communicationwith articles on how research can be better promoted in Romania. Includes what I write here on the blog, but also recent articles in other languages that I recommend and comment on.
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