FASEB

"If we are to maintain public appreciation and support for our scientific enterprise, we need to pay more attention to translating the benefits and grandeur of science into the language of broader society. Both educators and journalists have a role to play in communicating the achievements of science, and other members of our panel will address that. But scientists must recognize that we have a responsibility to increase the availability and salience of science to the public."

Mary J.C. Hendrix, at Experimental Biology 2001. Click here for the full text of her speech.

Below are links to pages that offer advice for scientists on communicating science to the public/media, Congress, and teachers/students.

FASEB Supports H.R.1453, the Scientific Communications Act of 2007

Communicating Science News
(http://www.nasw.org/csn/)

This handbook was prepared by the National Association of Science Writers to increase understanding of journalists' needs. The handbook is especially aimed at scientists, engineers, physicians and others who head committees to handle media arrangements for meetings, conventions, conferences, and symposia--especially those who do not have professional public relations help. It is also intended as a guide for public information officers (PIOs) to help them cooperate effectively in telling the story of science.

Public Agenda
(http://www.publicagenda.org/)

Public Agenda is a nonpartisan, nonprofit public opinion research and citizen education organization based in New York City. It was founded in 1975 by social scientist and author Daniel Yankelovich and former Secretary of State Cyrus Vance. The two-fold mission of Public Agenda is to: Help leaders better understand the public's point of view on major policy issues; and help citizens better understand critical policy issues so they can make their own more informed and thoughtful decisions.

Public Understanding of Science
(http://www.iop.org/Journals/pu)

A forum for the emerging interdisciplinary field of public understanding of science, this journal encourages open debate of contrasting and even conflicting viewpoints on all aspects of the interrelationships between science and the public. Tables of contents and featured articles only.

Guide to Peer Review
(http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/peerreview)

This downloadable pdf guide from Sense About Science is aimed at explaining the peer review system (for both grant funding and publication) to non-scientists. An excellent resource for explaining how the peer review process maintains the integrity of scientific research.

From UC-Berkeley, this page informs the public why science is exciting, how science is done, where it is performed, and how the need to think critically is required not just for science, but everyday life.

Communicating Effectively With Congress
http://www.the-aps.org/pa/action/communicating_congress.htm

Put together by the American Physiological Society, this site provides advice on communicating science to lawmakers.

Dr. Smith Goes to Washington

Created by the FASEB Office of Public Affairs, this document offers tips on how scientists can convince policymakers to make science funding a priority. Many scientists do not realize they already have the tools to market their research to legislators.

National Science Policy Study, Part VI:
Communicating Science and Engineering in a Sound-Bite World,

This is the transcript from a hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science (May 14, 1998) during which scientists and journalists talk about the challenges of bridging the gap between science and the media. Chairman F. J. Sensenbrenner's Opening Statement | Vice Chairman Ehler's Opening Statement | David Billington | Deborah Blum | Jim Hartz/Dr. Charles Chappell | Stuart Zola Hearing Charter | Witness List

Public Understanding Science & Engineering Indicators
(http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/seind98/start.htm)

A 1998 survey by the National Science Foundation that shows Americans' interest in science grows but actual understanding of scientific terms and concepts still lags.

The Media Report
(http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/mediarpt/stories/s123565.htm)

This is a transcript of an interview with Ira Flatow who presents 'Science Friday' on National Public Radio in the USA. This transcript features a discussion about the resonances between scientists and media practitioners and includes talk of the Visible Human Project.

Communicating Science: Building on a Legacy of Achievements
(http://www.ornl.gov/hgmis/publicat/ber50/berint.html)

An electronic version of the exhibit created by Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy's Biological and Environmental Research (BER) Program 50th Anniversary Symposium held on May 21-22, 1997, at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C.

National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (CPAS)
(http://www.cpas.anu.edu.au/)

CPAS, at the Australian National University, aims to bring together scientists, science communicators and journalists in an effort to involve the public in discussion, debate and decision-making about science

European Union of Science Journalists' Associations
(http://www.esf.org/eusja/default.htm)

Resources for science writers. Includes guides to science writing and reports on relations between scientists and the media.

The following books and reports provide additional information on effective ways to communicate science.

Misunderstanding Science: The Public Reconstruction of Science and Technology. Irwin, Alan and Brian Wynne, eds. Cambridge ; New York: Cambridge University Press, 1996.

Working With Congress: A Practical Guide for Scientists and Engineers. 2^nd Edition. William G. Wells, Jr. American Association of the Advancement of Science, 1996.

Communicating Research. Meadows, A.J. San Diego: Academic Press, 1998.

Science in Public: Communication, Culture, and Credibility. Gregory, Jane and Steve Miller. New York: Plenum Trade, c1998.

The MIT Guide to Science and Engineering Communication. Paradis, James G. and Muriel L. Zimmerman. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, c1997.

Selling Science: How the Press Covers Science and Technology. Nelkin, Dorothy. Rev. ed. New York: W.H. Freeman, c1995.

Q225 .N35 1995 BOOKSTACKS

Headline News, Science Views. Jarmul, David, ed. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 1991.

Headline News, Science Views II. Jarmul, David, ed. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 1993.

Communicating Science: A Handbook. Shortland, Michael and Jane Gregory. New York: Wiley, 1991.

News Reporting, Science, Medicine, and High Technology. Burkett, Warren. Ames: Iowa State University Press, 1986.

Presenting Science to the Public. Gastel, Barbara. Philadelphia: ISI Press, c1983.

A Handbook of Public Speaking for Scientists and Engineers. Kenny, Peter. Bristol: Adam Hilger Ltd, c1982.