Communicating Technology

Technology can be defined as the application of scientific knowledge to everyday life. Clearly this requires communication between the source and the user.

Communicating science and technology should be easy. On the one hand we have intelligent and well-educated researchers, and on the other hand a burgeoning electronic-driven media ever hungry for content, plus a public who seem genuinely interested in the future, with good science presenters currently enjoying TV celebrity status. Influencing science policy and funding bodies is a task that no scienteist underestimates. Yet there is a perceivable failure in communication, or perhaps more precisely in understanding, between the science base and the public. Too often research is seen as boring or dangerous, and reactions to developments such as GM crops have highlighted the failure to have a useful dialogue.

Much of the problem lies in the cultural gap between the worlds of research and media. There is a skill in translating and interpreting between the two. This exists in both directions, but primarily it follows the flow from science to application. Writing as a journalist, as opposed to writing formal letters or reports, is a skill that is sadly not well taught in schools or universities.

It is not possible to train journalists to understand science, it is simply too big a task. However, it is possible to train scientists and researchers the relatively simple technique of writing about their subject like a journalist. This gives a researcher the extremely useful ability to put across whatever they have to say to whatever audience they have to address.

The process is relatively simple and can be taught in 2 or 3 days as a workshop that includes some essential practice and feedback. It is best done in a small group who can learn together and compare notes. There are some links to materials that you are welcome to use.