Covering public controversies about science topics: From GMOs, to vaccines, to climate change
- Time:
- Saturday, October 10th, 10:45 am to 12:00 pm
- Location:
- Hyatt Regency Cambridge, Paul Revere room
- Speaker(s):
- Cary FunkAssociate director of research on science and society, Pew Research Center
- Kathleen Hall JamiesonDirector, Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania
- Seth MnookinCo-director, MIT graduate program in science writing
- Lee RainieDirector of internet, science and technology research, Pew Research Center
- Moderator(s):
- Rick BorcheltDirector of communications and public affairs, Department of Energy’s Office of Science
- Organizer(s):
- Dana PageCommunications manager, Pew Research Center
Science issues are civic issues. As the political spotlight is increasingly aimed at all manner of science topics, from GMOs to bioengineering to energy technologies and climate change, so, too, has the role of science writers shifted. This workshop will help science journalists navigate the world of public opinion polling and sort through political, ideological, religious, educational and science literacy differences in public attitudes about a range of science topics. Further, we will look at role science journalism can play in public understanding. This workshop brings together some of the foremost experts in public understanding of science and the role of communication in that understanding. Prominent science writers will offer practical advice about the ways science writers can combine their expertise with greater savvy about public attitudes to enhance coverage of controversial topics.
