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Science and Society

This document discusses the disconnect between science and society in India and the need for improved science communication. It notes that while scientists and policymakers have expertise, citizens should have a say in decisions that impact them. However, most Indians have little understanding of science-related issues. The document argues that science communication is needed to disseminate scientific knowledge to the public in an accessible way and empower them. It outlines the roles of scientists, media, and skilled science communicators in bridging the gap between science and society. It also discusses science communication as an emerging career field with many opportunities.

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Mohit Kumar Jolly
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37 views

Science and Society

This document discusses the disconnect between science and society in India and the need for improved science communication. It notes that while scientists and policymakers have expertise, citizens should have a say in decisions that impact them. However, most Indians have little understanding of science-related issues. The document argues that science communication is needed to disseminate scientific knowledge to the public in an accessible way and empower them. It outlines the roles of scientists, media, and skilled science communicators in bridging the gap between science and society. It also discusses science communication as an emerging career field with many opportunities.

Uploaded by

Mohit Kumar Jolly
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Science and society: Are we developing mutually?

Should India move towards atomic power or solar power? Should more funding be issued to stem cells
or Chandrayaan 2012? Were the GM (genetically modified) crops launched after proper tests? These are
questions the common man of India has little idea about. Why? Why are such policy decisions that have
a profound interest on society at large not involve the opinion/involvement of the latter? It is beyond
doubt that the experienced eminent scientists and science policy makers of the country have a better
state of art knowledge about these contemporary issues, but is that all? Do the citizens of the largest
democracy of the world have no right to information for investment of the research and development
funds, a lion’s share of which has been paid off their pockets as tax? Or is there an abyss of disconnect
between the fourth pillar of democracy- media and the scientific community? Can you name more than
one national newspaper having a regular dedicated section on science/technology/environment issues?

“It is suicidal to create a society dependent upon science and technology in which hardly anybody knows
anything related to science and technology”, Carl Sagan, the eminent astrophysicist and popular science
writer once said. Is ours a suicidal society (according to this quote)? Probably yes. How can we prevent
more suicides to happen then? How can a rural pregnant woman be convinced to see the solar eclipse,
over riding the deeply rooted superstition that she would deliver a dead child if she sees the sun during
the eclipse? Here comes science communication – an effort to bridge the gap between science and
society.

What is science communication? Science communication aims at dissemination of scientific knowledge


and information (gathered in laboratories and journals) to the masses in a format that they can
appreciate and understand science. But why is it needed at all? Let scientists do the research. Did you
ever dream that your favorite soft drinks that bollywood stars advertise would contain pesticides? Do
you know that the PET water bottles you carry along with you should not be used more than once for
carrying water, because the material of the bottle starts degrading and dissolving in water and it has
been found to be a potential cause of many gastro-intestinal diseases including stomach cancer? It is
because of these pervasive effects and repercussions on social structure and our daily life that
knowledge of science and information gained from it becomes essential to be communicated to society.
It is for informing and empowering the public, for developing scientific temper and establishing better
linkages among different branches of science and the society that science communication is essential.

Next question that comes is, who shall communicate science? The scientists can’t put at stake their
research work and go and educate people. What is their motivation or incentive at all? Why should they
not invest time in publishing papers in international journals and climb a ladder of respect in their
community? On the other hand, why should media cover science? Why to cover one page on science and
not give that to an advertisement of toothpaste that could give them a couple of lakhs? How many
editors/journalists are competent to report science news? Now this is an unending blame circle. Here
comes the work of skilled science communicators – people who would bring scientific facts and
information in the public domain and stimulate public debates over areas that have a direct effect on our
world, people who decide on their target audience, the message they would like to convey and the mode
and format of communication that would be the best fit in given conditions.

Science communication, as a movement, started around two decades ago in the west and now the
National Science Foundation (USA) has made it mandatory for scientists to communicate their work to
public with a separate provision for budget in research grants. India is also expected to follow the path
soon. Various universities in India and abroad have started postgraduate courses/degrees in science
communication.
When you talk of science communication, it’s not only the ability to understand science/technology, but
also the concepts of communication, socio-psychology, mass media, culture etc. that come into play and
hence there is a dire dearth of dedicated and skilled science communicators all around the globe. Is it a
career option? Definitely – this virgin field of practice, study and research has a plethora of
opportunities to offer. Research labs and institutions, science academies, NGOs, universities and
corporate world all require science communicators for developing communication strategies and
management. You can be a science writer, documentary maker, journalist, publication officer, science
communication executive/ consultant, media skills trainer, science demonstrator in science museums,
science toy maker and what not. Just choose your mode, format and audience and get going.

Remember, you need to dream first, then comes the vision! If you dream of a scientifically aware and
awake India in 2020, just be the change you want to see. It’s the dawn of science communication. Be the
first one to rise.

- Mohit Kumar Jolly

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