Filter by keyword: Public engagement with science and technology

This study examines the degree of institutionalization of Public Communication of Science (PCS) in Mexico based on a sample of 83 research centers belonging to the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), and the Public Research Centers coordinated by the Secretariat of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation (SECIHTI). Using a structured questionnaire grounded in the multilevel model proposed by Entradas and Bauer, the study identifies budgetary inequalities, the predominance of one-way activities, and partial progress in policies and professionalization. The findings place the Mexican case within a broader Latin American process of transition towards the consolidation of PCS as a strategic function of the scientific system.

This article examines the history of public visitation at the Prof. Mello Leitão Biology Museum (MBML) from 1949 to 2023, including an analysis of the objectives behind scheduled visits in 2022 and 2023. The methodology was based on bibliographic research, document analysis, and thematic categorization of visit purposes. Since its foundation, MBML has prioritized scientific research, but over the years, it has become an important space for education and culture. Its transition to federal management brought significant implications for public engagement. Among the main motivations for guided visits are: Biodiversity and Conservation (30%), History and Culture (26%), and Environmental Education (17%).

This article discusses the infodemic in Argentina and Brazil. Based on the sociology of social problems approach, it analyses the discourse and practices of 17 interviewees who are involved in raising public awareness and influencing political decision-makers regarding the effects of the infodemic. The results show that they condemn the politicisation of scientific information. In both countries, the interviewees have questioned the effectiveness of state regulation and platform self-regulation, emphasising the need to improve the media's science reporting, invest in science literacy, and develop fact-checking strategies to prevent the spread of scientific misinformation

Through participatory activities, we aim to engage people with science, technology, and innovation in an active manner, fostering a higher level of involvement and interaction with others. This paper presents the design process of an activity based on the perspective of public participation and the game PlayDecide, addressing the socio-environmental issue of urban solid waste management. We believe it is important to share this process as a contribution to those who design educational experiences in informal science settings.

In this article, we conducted a comprehensive survey of the publications from "Médicos por la Verdad" (Doctors for the Truth), one of the main anti-vaccine groups in Latin America, on the social media platform Twitter during the COVID-19 pandemic. We categorized their types of reasoning and the content of their messages, and we showed that the existing proposals for the analysis of anti-scientific discourses cannot be applied to this particular case. Consequently, we propose a new categorization and its focused application using tools available for science communicators on one hand, and the non-specialized public on the other.

The article presents the results of an exploratory study conducted through the application of an online questionnaire to Twitter users close to three active scientific dissemination networks during the pandemic in Ecuador (Kuna Ecuador, Red Ecuatoriana de Mujeres Científicas, and Red DivulgaCiencia). The main objective is to propose specific strategies for the use of the digital platform to disseminate science and persuade public opinion, starting with an understanding of the perception regarding the concepts used to refer to the communicative interaction between the scientific community and society.

Some research and surveys conducted in Mexico show that there is still a lack of knowledge on how to increase public engagement with science. Because of this, a study was carried out using conceptual frameworks of Science Communication for a Centre for Science Communication. Three axes are outlined: modalities WITH, FOR and BETWEEN the public; public engagement with science and science capital. At the same time, programmes are proposed to carry out activities and encourage awareness, interest, intrinsic motivation, enjoyment and understanding in order to contribute to scientific culture.

Trazemos para o debate científico uma questão que envolve comunicadores, cientistas, instituições e órgãos de fomento: como medir o desempenho da Comunicação Pública de Ciência e Tecnologia a partir de diferentes objetivos estratégicos? Propomos um modelo de monitoramento e avaliação para a CPCT, a partir da abordagem da Teoria da Mudança (TM) e da sugestão de tipos ideais: Informacional, Engajamento Público ou Participativo/Apropriação. Trata-se da prospecção de uma cadeia lógica que seja capaz de explicar o encadeamento do processo de comunicação envolvendo a academia e a sociedade, com o apontamento de supostos e indicadores de mensuração.

Nesta edição de ‘JCOM América Latina’ concentramos nossos esforços em discutir controvérsias e divulgação científica, reunindo sete textos. São cinco artigos, um ensaio e uma resenha de livro provenientes de autores da Argentina, do Brasil, da Colômbia e do México. A edição conta com a participação de Martha Marandino, que integra o comitê editorial de ‘JCOM América Latina’ e é pesquisadora da Universidade de São Paulo, e Marina Ramalho e Silva, pesquisadora da Casa de Oswaldo Cruz da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, além de Luisa Massarani, editora de ‘JCOM América Latina’.

Más allá del entretenimiento y la diversión con la ciencia y la tecnología, nuestras sociedades necesitan espacios educativos de encuentro para el diálogo y la deliberación sobre los conocimientos científicos y tecnológicos. Tales espacios podrían ser museos y centros de ciencia, siempre que logren articularse con las necesidades, situaciones y demandas sociales. Este libro nos propone re-imaginar las exposiciones y las prácticas en los museos a partir de una revisión extensa de literatura y varios estudios de caso, que muestran cómo diferentes escenarios en Brasil, Canadá y EEUU están configurando sus exposiciones para involucrar y debatir con sus públicos sobre temas controversiales a travesados por la ciencia y la tecnología.