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presented on March 6-8, 2002 at the conference on Communicating the Future:
Best Practices in Communication of Science and Technology to the Public,
co-sponsored by the U.S.
Department of Energy Office
of Science, and NIST. Poster topics
were selected as "best
practices" through a formal peer review by a
committee of distinguished science writers, educators, and researchers.
Science,
Technology and Society Resident Scholar Program (STS/RSP)
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Abstract The problem, as we see it, is not to convey more scientific and technological information to the public. Rather it is to develop a multi-disciplinary, cross-sector dialogue on issues of science, technology, and society. A broad range of key citizens in modern societies are inadequately informed about recent scientific and technological advances. However, the problem is symmetrical. The science and technology communities have an equally poor understanding of the nature of the larger human enterprise, and their place in it. Critical self-reflection is required, where we seriously consider: What is science? What is engineering? What is the aim of the social enterprise? There is a need to reconsider assumptions about inquiry, innovation, and problem-solving. An essential premise is that we are in a position to change the course of events. People want to understand the implications of advances in science and technology. What does it mean to me, for us? What: The STS/RS Program, begun as a Public Lecture Series, evolved—as the coalition evolved—into a Resident Scholar Program with scholars interacting with the community over a period of several days. The niche, unfulfilled by existing institutions and programs, is multi-disciplinary, cross-sector dialogue. The strategy is not to educate as much as to excite natural curiosity, create a sense of intellectual community, and foster “formative experiences” for students. Who: ISEPP invited celebrity scientists and engineers as well as a mix of relative unknowns. Among the scholars: Carl Sagan, Jane Goodall, David Suzuki, Stephen Jay Gould, Philip Morrison, and Stephen W. Hawking. The year 2001-2002 line-up: James Burke, Brian Greene, Robert Ballard, Jill Cornell Tarter, David Albert, Lee Hood, Richard Leakey, and Lawrence Krauss. When: The Series runs on the academic calendar. Scholars arrive on Tuesday evening, allowing for several classroom visits, radio and television interviews, and special breakfast/dinner events for trade or professional groups. The main presentation is to a large audience (1,200-3,000) on Friday evening. Advice: The STS/RSP is conceived as parallel to local theater and symphony. This defines the genre as part of the cultural milieu. Price the events similarly, and seek underwriters and co-sponsors support as do theater and music groups. Use a cooperative marketing strategy. Worked with other local cultural entities, national science magazines like Scientific American, Science News, etc., and national science organizations like AAAS, Sigma Xi, etc. Seek publicity through newspapers, radio, and TV media co-sponsors, as well as contacting numerous professional and trade newsletter editors. Each scholar was asked to submit a “policy essay up to 1,500 words.” Interviews were arranged, both prior to and when visiting. Use aggressive direct
mail campaign; creative, award-winning posters; newspaper space ads; radio/TV
public service announcements; and so forth. Sponsors Contact Budget Web Site
Back to Best Practices home page Back to Best Practices posters page Created: 5/31/2002
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