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The reflexive scientist: an approach to transforming public engagement

Author

Listed:
  • Rhian A. Salmon

    (Victoria University of Wellington)

  • Rebecca K. Priestley

    (Victoria University of Wellington)

  • Joanna Goven

    (Kukupa Research Ltd)

Abstract

Calls for greater public engagement with science (PES) are widespread, but there appears to be little agreement on the meaning and purpose of engagement across the various actors calling for it. This reflects a persistent gulf between PES scholars and scientists communicating with the public. We argue that direct engagement between PES scholars and scientist-communicators could, by facilitating greater reflexivity, lead to a step-change in the calibre and clarity of activities that are designed to support enhanced public engagement with science and technology. In this paper, we, as authors beginning from different perspectives, explore the potential of, and barriers to, a conversation between critical social scientists and members of the science community about public engagement. We demonstrate how and why the PES literature does not “speak for itself” to scientists but provides a starting point for conversation rather than a substitute for it. We then explore what reflexivity might mean for PES and argue for three important foci: political-economic context or politics of the field; institutional context; and personal assumptions. We then discuss barriers to, as well as strategies for, fostering such reflexivity, concluding that new models of authorship and publication are needed if this promise is to be fulfilled.

Suggested Citation

  • Rhian A. Salmon & Rebecca K. Priestley & Joanna Goven, 2017. "The reflexive scientist: an approach to transforming public engagement," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 7(1), pages 53-68, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jenvss:v:7:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s13412-015-0274-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s13412-015-0274-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Tatsuyoshi Saijo, 2018. "Õåüà ãüûǶ¤Ã³Ï¼Š Æœ ǶŠå ¯Èƒ½Ã ªâ¾Ƒ然à ¨Ç¤¾Ä¼Šã‚’Å°†Æ ¥Ä¸–Ä»£Ã «Å¼•Ã Ƕ™Ã à Ÿã‚ à «," Working Papers SDES-2018-3, Kochi University of Technology, School of Economics and Management, revised Jul 2018.

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