By M Bucchi and B Trench (eds)
Routledge
With scientists increasingly asked to engage the public and society-at-large with their research, and include outreach plans as part of grant applications, it helps to have a guide to various involvement possibilities and the research behind them. The second edition of the Routledge Handbook of Public Communication of Science and Technology (henceforth referred to as “the Handbook”) provides a thorough introduction to public engagement – or outreach, as it is sometimes called – through a varied collection of articles on the subject. In particular, it brings to attention the underlying issues associated with the old “deficit model of science communication”, which presupposes a knowledge deficit about science among the general public that must be filled by scientists providing facts, and facts alone. Although primarily targeting science-communication practitioners and academics researching the field, the Handbook can also help scientists to reflect on their outreach efforts and to appreciate the interplay between science and society.
Before plunging into the depths of the book, it is important to remember that the study of science communication is the study of evolving terminology. Historically, an effort was made to determine the “scientific literacy” of society, under the assumption that a society knowledgeable in the facts and methods of science would support research endeavours without much opposition. This approach was made obsolete by the introduction of the “public communication of science and technology” paradigm, which itself was superseded by what is today called “public engagement with science and technology”, or “public engagement” for short. The first chapter, written by the editors, is the best place to familiarise oneself with the various science-communication models, as well as the terms and phrases used throughout the Handbook. That said, those with backgrounds in natural sciences might feel somewhat out of their depth, due to a lack of definitions in the rest of the Handbook for words and phrases used on a daily basis by their social-science counterparts. However, this is largely mitigated by each chapter containing a wealth of notes and references at the end, pointing readers in the direction of further reading.
The chapters themselves are stand-alone articles by experts in their respective topics, many written in engaging, conversational styles. They cover everything from policy and participants, to the handling of “hot-button” issues, to research and assessment methodology. Readers of the Courier may find the chapters on science journalism, on public relations in science, on the role of scientists as public experts and on risk management particularly illuminating.
What the same readers might find missing from the book is a specific treatment of fundamental research: the Handbook focuses on domains of science – such as climate change – that tend to have a direct or immediate impact on society. Scientists from other areas of research might therefore consider shoehorning (perhaps non-existing) societal impact into their science-communication efforts, rather than learning how to adapt the lessons learnt from fields such as climate science to their own work. It is therefore this reviewer’s desire that future editions of the Handbook address the science-communication challenges of more diverse areas of research, proposing ways in which scientists and practitioners can tackle them.
Overall, the Handbook gives readers valuable insight into science-communication research, and merits a place on the library shelves of every university and research institution.
