TY - JOUR
T1 - Responsibility and science communication
T2 - scientists’ experiences of and perspectives on public communication activities
AU - Loroño-Leturiondo, Maria
AU - Davies, Sarah R.
PY - 2018
Y1 - 2018
N2 - Public communication of science and technology is central to ideas about responsible research and innovation (RRI). This paper presents findings from a focus group study, carried out with natural scientists based in the Basque Country, which explored researchers’ ideas about public communication. We identify three key themes from this data: these scientists framed successful science communication as producing emotionally ‘good experiences’ for audiences; they depicted such communication as a responsibility that they had to society and that was thus carried out for the good of the public; and they described themselves as responsible for the success of science communication. Scientists thus emphasised their own responsibility for ensuring a successful science communication process. In closing we reflect on what these findings mean for the promotion and practice of RRI, suggesting that a greater focus should be placed on the character of responsibility as well as its presence.
AB - Public communication of science and technology is central to ideas about responsible research and innovation (RRI). This paper presents findings from a focus group study, carried out with natural scientists based in the Basque Country, which explored researchers’ ideas about public communication. We identify three key themes from this data: these scientists framed successful science communication as producing emotionally ‘good experiences’ for audiences; they depicted such communication as a responsibility that they had to society and that was thus carried out for the good of the public; and they described themselves as responsible for the success of science communication. Scientists thus emphasised their own responsibility for ensuring a successful science communication process. In closing we reflect on what these findings mean for the promotion and practice of RRI, suggesting that a greater focus should be placed on the character of responsibility as well as its presence.
KW - face-to-face communication
KW - responsibility
KW - Responsible research and innovation
KW - science communication
KW - self-efficacy
U2 - 10.1080/23299460.2018.1434739
DO - 10.1080/23299460.2018.1434739
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:85044747279
SN - 2329-9460
VL - 5
SP - 170
EP - 185
JO - Journal of Responsible Innovation
JF - Journal of Responsible Innovation
IS - 2
ER -