THE HANDS-ON GUIDE FOR SCIENCE COMMUNICATORS potx

[...]... communities in the flow of scientific information: scientists, full-time communicators, the press and the public One of the most used models for their interaction is the simple linear model in which information flow can be depicted as a funnel that starts at the scientist and ends at the general public (figure 2) Before the general public receives the message, the information is passed through two other communication... actors: the public information officer and the journalist The narrowing of the funnel also indicates that a simplification of the information takes place along the way The linear model is often used to simplify the overall picture, but it may also reflect an important part of the situation and therefore be useful to communicators Madsen (2003) finds that nearly 50%, and possibly more, of science news in the. .. actors where the simple linear model is insufficient In some cases (marked with dotted lines in figure 2) the scientist may commu7 THE HANDS-ON GUIDE FOR SCIENCE COMMUNICATORS Figure 2: The simple linear model for the science communication process — a funnel-type model for the communication from scientists (producer) to public (receiver) This simple model where the bold black arrows show: a) the sequential... is the job of the PIO to mediate in the tension field between the scientist and the journalist and to argue the importance of science communication to the scientist The return usually exceeds the investment of time It is the job of the PIO to mediate in the tension field between the scientist and the journalist For practical advice on how scientists may improve their science communication skills see chapter... in the individual universities and organisations These are exactly the problems solved by the mediation of science communication professionals and the linear model will be used as basis for the remainder of this book The linear model implies that the main interaction takes place between scientists and science communicators, and between science communicators and journalists Some understanding of the. .. field It is there to help journal editors to ensure that the scientific research 9 THE HANDS-ON GUIDE FOR SCIENCE COMMUNICATORS that they publish is credible, new and interesting It’s a fundamental form of crap detection.” The refereeing process can take anything from a few months to a few years in rare circumstances Once accepted the paper can be published in the journal The scientist may then choose... just one step ahead in the science communication game In summary, astronomy can lead the way for other natural sciences and be a frontrunner in science communication Astronomy has a natural ability to fascinate and enthral, and can open young people’s minds to the beauty of science Astronomy can lead the way for other natural sciences and be a frontrunner in science communication 6 There is, however, a... deliverables The examples below are picked from the strategy of the ESA/Hubble EPO office Replace the specific organisations, instruments and projects with your own Example vision ESA/Hubble should become one of the world’s science communication powerhouses, especially within the areas of visual science communication and innovative information management 17 THE HANDS-ON GUIDE FOR SCIENCE COMMUNICATORS. .. 19 THE HANDS-ON GUIDE FOR SCIENCE COMMUNICATORS 3.2 THE TYPES OF COMMUNICATION INFORMAL EDUCATION FORMAL EDUCATION A B D C PRESS SUPPORT PUBLIC OUTREACH E F G BRANDING/PR VIP SUPPORT H I Figure 3: An overview of the entire science communication “space” Different products will move along the horizontal axis depending on their target group and content Curriculum driven formal education is seen to the. .. journalistic writing Payment Selection of the best results Loyalty Table 3: The “contract” between the journalist and the public end-user Reasonable or good visuals Timely delivery Whoever breaks the “contract” severs the (often personal) link with the other participant in the information flow and runs the risks that the story will not be successful The participants in this information flow are truly interdependent .