Engaging the Public in Science Communication - Essay Example

The general public automatically gets more and more involved in such scientific issues and plays a role in reshaping the scientific research agenda. Moreover, such non-governmental organizations often get permission from national governments to engage in dialogues with researchers. Yet, another factor that led to the advancement in communication in science is the advent of the Internet. This enabled better communication between the general public and scientists. This way, laymen get the chance to access ‘backstage’ conversations among scientists and dig out even fears about uncertainties.

Consequently, people view today’s society as a ‘risk society’ and give a lot of attention to scientific researches and developments (Trench 1). Presently, scientists often appear in public in advisory, consultative, expert, witness, and debating roles and give their views based on their personal experience. Thus, they are made to discuss the ongoing scientific experiments in connection with ethical, economic, and even public service areas. Thus, even those scientific experiments which are in the early stages become matters of public scrutiny in the short term (Trench 2).

Admittedly, too much attention to research and development has a negative impact on science. Though it is possible to claim that it boosts science communication as specialists get more resources and institutions, the downside is that sciences like humanities and social sciences, which cannot be converted into technologies, will be largely neglected. Moreover, those professionals in natural sciences who want to get resources allocated will have to engage in such areas which are considered important by society.

Thus, the new claim is that the meaning of scientific research could only be identified through dialogues with various social actors. In the opinion of Trench, this has led to such a situation that in many developing nations, there will be a decline in the number of young people who are interested in certain fields of scientific research. In this way, there are two models of science communication with positive and negative sides in each.