Science Communication with Marju Himma-Kadakas

On the 17th and 18th Ocotber, Institute of Technology held a science communication seminar by Marju Himma-Kadakas in order to give (future) scientists practical tips on how to communicate scientific work to public.

Science and technology play a major role in most aspects of our daily lives both at home and at work. Our industry and thus our national prosperity depend
on them. Almost all public policy issues have scientific or technological implications. Everybody, therefore, needs some understanding of science, its accomplishments and its limitations.

Many personal decisions, for example about diet, vaccination, personal hygiene or safety at home and at work, would be helped by some understanding of the underlying science.

Understanding includes not just the facts of science, but also the method and its limitations as well as an appreciation of the practical and social implications.
A basic understanding of statistics including the nature of risks, uncertainty and variability, and an ability to assimilate numerical data are also an essential part of understanding science.

A proper science education at school must provide the ultimate basis for an adequate understanding of science. There is an urgent need to provide a broadly based science education at school for all to the age of 16, and the resources to make this possible. Much greater priority should, in particular, be given to science courses in all primary schools taught by appropriately qualified teachers. No pupil at school should be allowed to study only arts, or only science, even after the age of 16.

Why do we even need scientific communication? When talking about the necessity of scientific communication we need to identify three main targets: first of all, science is needed for the sake of science, secondly for the society and thirdly for the individual. The previous statements are not in order of importance, in fact they are all equal. Science needs scientific communication to attract motivated students and therefore ensure carrying on the work of scientific community. Also to maintain the reliability of science in society.
Society needs scientific communication to increase economic and social well-being. Also, science is the basis of democratic decision-making process because it allows to make decisions that are science-based and informed. But also to justify government-funded research to policymakers and taxpayers. Individual needs scientific communication to make informed decisions about his/her health and democratic choices or education in everyday life.
In a well-functioning society all those objectives of scientific communication are in balance with each other. This means that science needs to be communicated by different parties: not only the scientists, but also the universities, donors, non-governmental organisations, politicians, education sectors, journalists etc. have to participate equally.