EARTH-LIFE SCIENCE INSTITUTE

Thilina Heenatigala

WPI-ELSI, Tokyo Tech. 13 June 2019

“origins of the Earth and life” through an integrated interdisciplinary approach that brings together top-

level domestic and international researchers

Importance of Communicating Science

Thilina Heenatigala

WPI-ELSI, Tokyo Tech. 12 June 2019

What is science communication? Why it is important?

“Science communication is part of a scientist's everyday life. Scientists must give talks, write papers

and proposals, communicate with a variety of audiences, and educate others.”

#SCICOMM

• is about communicating science and building bridges between the people involved in scientific research and different groups of the public.

#SCICOMM

• is about communicating science and building bridges between the people involved in scientific research and different groups of the public.

• is involved in developing government science policies, understanding relationships between ‘the public’ and ‘scientists’, and creating science stories in the mass media, as well as exploring how people learn about and engage with science.

science communication as a term that encompasses communication between: • groups within the scientific community, including those in academia and

industry

• the scientific community and the media

• the scientific community and the public

• the scientific community and government, or others in positions of power and/or authority

• the scientific community and government, or others who influence policy

• industry and the public

• the media (including museums and science centres) and the public

• the government and the public

Office of Science and Technology and Welcome Trust, “Science and the public: A review of science communication and public attitudes to science in Britain” (2000)

Why should you put time and effort into something that feels like an extra chore?

#SCICOMM Importance

• Accessibility: science for everyone

• Public understanding: overcome misconceptions

• Responsibility: improving public attidude towards science

• Funding: tax money, societal impact

• Science policy: impact on societal changes

Because