A Wobbly Three-Legged Stool: Science, Politics, And The Public
With science more and more an issue in public policy, and the public unsure about many scientific subjects, what should policymakers do to involve the public more in this kind of policymaking, given the fact that big changes in a democracy don't happen easily or smoothly without public participation in the choices that we face?
Social scientist and author Daniel Yankelovich, chairman and a founder of three organizations including Public Agenda, and Jean Johnson, Public Agenda executive vice president and co-author of public policy books including "Who Turned Out the Lights? Your Guided Tour to the Energy Crisis?", spoke on this subject Feb. 19 at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Our Energy Learning Curve™ research on what the public knows and believes on energy issues and climate change was be a part of the discussion. Yankelovich's presentation will examine "Redefining What "An Informed Public" Means On Science & Technology Issues" and Johnson will speak on "How to Advance the Public's Energy Learning Curve."
The theme of this year's AAAS convention, in San Diego, is Bridging Science and Society: a call for every scientist and engineer to make their work both beneficial and understandable. AAAS president Dr. Peter Agre, in setting the tone for the meeting, points to this quote from President Obama, in a speech to scientists:
"Science, technology, and innovation proceed more rapidly and more cost-effectively when insights, costs, and risks are shared; and so many of the challenges that science and technology will help us meet are global in character. This is true of our dependence on oil, the consequences of climate change, the threat of epidemic disease, and the spread of nuclear weapons."
The challenge we all face then, is involving citizens in public choices – even in cases where the underlying science may be complicated. That's a mission close to the bone here at Public Agenda, where our research and public engagement both focus on closing gaps between experts, policymakers and the public, empowering democracy as citizens make informed choices as part of the policymaking process.
In addition to being on the panel for the Feb. 19 AAAS panel discussion, Johnson was able to take part in two other events: the AAAS' Promoting Climate Literacy Conference panel discussion on "Public Knowledge & Attitudes" on Feb. 17 and a National Academy of Sciences Feb. 18 panel discussion in Irvine, Ca., on "Challenges to Public Trust in Science: Lessons from the University of East Anglia/"Climategate" Incident.
We've posted the Yankelovich and Johnson PowerPoint presentations online for the benefit of the Public Agenda community. You can find out more about the AAAS meeting on its web site and on Facebook.
Editor's Note: this blog posting was updated after the AAAS meeting.
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The first symposium I attended was titled Communicating on the State and Local Level: How Can Scientists Support Policy Makers? Eugenie Scott, Director of the National Center for Science Education spoke on Communication, Policy, and Evolution. She told of her personal story battling with the Arkansas school board in the 80’s and what scientists can learn from that experience. (To break the suspense up front, the school board decided to not allow the teaching of creationism.) In this case, some of the best allies for the scientists were local clergy who did not like the idea that teachers would give one explanation for creationism Monday through Friday that pastors would have to modify on Sunday. She emphasized the frustration that scientists feel when their fact based statements are countered (with equal weight) by non-fact based opinions on creationism. Scott reminded scientists that they have one vote, just like everyone else, but that even though scientists do not have power, they do have influence. Science is necessary but not sufficient to win cases such as these. A more integrated approach is necessary that includes understanding the values of the people affected by the ruling. Stephen Schneider, professor at Stanford and author of “Science as a Contact Sport” spoke next on Communication, Policy, and Climate Change. He addressed the best way for scientists to communicate with the media and with the public directly. Among other issues, Schneider spoke of advocacy and the risks involved for a scientist when wearing an advocacy hat, popularizing science, understanding your own biases, and using analogies to convey risk to non-science audiences. “Know thy audience, know thyself, and know thy stuff” are his three commandments to communication. The first does not need explanation, but it is often overlooked by scientists. By the second, he was referring to a scientist’s strong or weak points while being interviewed. If you are not good at sound bites, then be sure that the interview you have agreed to is more in depth, or get some practice before proceeding. The third commandment, know thy stuff, ended Schneider’s session as he said, “Watch out for what you say, they might hear you.” Be able to back up your words with science.
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