Abstract
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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Responsible Innovation |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Pages (from-to) | 170-185 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| ISSN | 2329-9460 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2018 |
Keywords
- face-to-face communication
- responsibility
- Responsible research and innovation
- science communication
- self-efficacy