SCC 2012 International collaborations in sicence communication: what, why and how?; The case of...
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International collaboration in science communication: the case of SciDev.Net Science Communication Conference King’s Place, London 15 May 2012 David Dickson , Editor, SciDev.Net
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Transcript of SCC 2012 International collaborations in sicence communication: what, why and how?; The case of...
International collaboration in science communication: the
case of SciDev.Net
Science Communication Conference
King’s Place, London 15 May 2012
David Dickson, Editor, SciDev.Net
www.scidev.net
Our premise:
The communication of accurate and accessible information about science and technology, and their contributions to innovation, is essential to the objectives of:
•achieving economic growth,
•reducing poverty, and
•enabling environmental sustainabil i ty .
www.scidev.net
Policymakers at all levels need accurate, t imely and reliable information about role of science and technology in meeting development objectives.
www.scidev.net
The public understanding of, and engagement in, S&T ensures open and democratic debate about the promises they offer – as well as their potentially negative consequences.
At the same t ime …
www.scidev.net
The demand for both improved science communication and improved science communication skil ls is increasing rapidly across the developing world
As a result:
www.scidev.net
• SciDev.Net is dedicated to helping achieve this.
• Producing the SciDev.Net website has made it essential to collaborate with science journalists and scientific authors across the developing world
www.scidev.net
There is a challenge in making the need for a unified editorial approach compatible with cultural differences in attitudes to science
www.scidev.net
In order to ensure long-term benefits, we are keen to help build indigenous capacity in science communication in developing countries
www.scidev.net
We do this firstly through capacity-building material on the website. For example:
www.scidev.net
Secondly through capacity-building workshops and internships
Capacity-bui lding workshops
These are intended to help build capacity in developing countries to report accurately on science and technology and their contributions to development.
www.scidev.net
Measurement challenges :
Evaluation of improved capacity is carried out through personal questionnaires.
These are addressed to:1. Users2. Freelance contributors
www.scidev.net
Assessing output (in terms of articles posted) and usage (in terms of articles accessed) can be done using website statistics
www.scidev.net
Assessing impact of website output is much more difficult because of the challenge of demonstrating causality, and is done primarily on an anecdotal basis.
www.scidev.net
• Improved science communication is essential for development and requires international collaboration between individuals and organisations.
• But evaluating this impact in precise terms remains a significant challenge, due to the diffusiveness of the message, the variety of audiences, and the lack of unique impacts.
Conclusion:
www.scidev.net
www.scidev.net
For more information, and to register to receivefree weekly email alert , visit us at
London, 15 May 2012
For information about practical guides, go to:
www.scidev.net/en/practicalguides
