News

Understanding science

Published 28 January 2011

Concerns over the way scientists get information to the public through the media are to be aired in a series of lectures organised by the University of Brighton.

As part of National Science and Engineering Week (11–20 March), the university has invited speakers with national profiles, including Iain Stewart, Professor of Geosciences Communication and a TV and radio presenter.

Dr Colin Whiteman, lecturer in the university's School of Environment and Technology, said: "Communicating scientific information is extremely important and places a heavy responsibility on scientists to be objective and articulate.

"According to a select committee of the House of Lords, most people, after school, obtain their scientific information through the media - radio, television, and the press. Consequently, how the media collect, edit and present science is critical to the way people perceive scientific issues.

"This meeting is designed to reflect some of the concerns surrounding the dissemination of scientific knowledge through the media.

"A range of expert speakers - communicators, academic scientists and politicians - with first-hand experience of science communication and the media has been assembled to present and discuss some of the issues.

"This meeting will be of interest to a wide range of people from sixth formers to members of the University of the Third Age, the general public and the scientific community."

Other speakers at the 'Science, Communication and the Media' event, will be Robin McKie, science and technology editor for The Observer; Evan Harris, doctor and former MP; and Quintin Cooper, producer and broadcaster.

The event runs 2.45–7pm on 15 March in the Huxley Building lecture theatre, Lewes Road, Brighton. Registration is £5 or £2.50 for under 19s.

You can find out more about the Science, Communication and the Media event on the School of Environment and Technology website or contact c.a.whiteman@brighton.ac.uk or m.j.allen@brighton.ac.uk.