Framing Science
Framing Science Moves to Big Think, Relaunches as the Age of Engagement Examining Communication, Culture, and Public Affairs
Posted by Matthew C. Nisbet on August 16, 2010 Today I move to my new home at Big Think http://bigthink.com/blogs/age-of-engagement [Follow the blog via its RSS feed, on Twitter, and on Facebook.] Over the past four years at Scienceblogs, I have had the wonderful opportunity to be part of a blogging network that includes dozens of talented writers and thinkers. Current and former Sciblings…
Special Journal Issue Examines Science Communication in Environmental Controversies
Posted by Matthew C. Nisbet on August 5, 2010 One paper in the special issue proposes strategies for catalyzing greater collaboration on climate change communication among the “four cultures.” The August issue of the journal Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment features open-access articles that review research, define challenges, and propose new initiatives in the area of science communication with a focus on environmental…
Links Round-Up: The Tea Party & the Media; Twitter’s Performance Culture
Posted by Matthew C. Nisbet on August 2, 2010 A few stories from over the weekend that raise decades-old questions about the connection between media and violence as well as the role that media play in the construction of social identity. –WPost leads its Sunday edition with a feature alleging a spike in visits to Colonial Williamsburg from Tea Party sympathizers. One enthusiast asks…
Should We Add Lithium to Drinking Water? Big Think Devotes August to “Dangerous Ideas”
Posted by Matthew C. Nisbet on August 2, 2010 Big Think, the YouTube for intellectuals, is devoting the next 30 days to highlighting the most dangerous among ideas. Here’s how the editors describe the theme: Throughout the month of August, Big Think will introduce a different “dangerous idea” each day. Brace yourself: these ideas may at first seem shocking or counter-intuitive–but they are worth…
The Death of Cap and Trade: Getting Beyond False Narratives
Posted by Matthew C. Nisbet on July 29, 2010 In the wake of last week’s defeat of cap and trade, the predictable narrative offered by bloggers and commentators has been to blame the failure on industry, skeptics, and Republicans. It’s also the explanation likely echoing in the minds of many scientists and environmental advocates. But it’s important to take a step back from the…
On Climate Change, the Public May Not Support Changing Their Own Diet, But Would They Support Programs to Change Society’s Diet?
Posted by Matthew C. Nisbet on July 27, 2010 In reaction to our BMC Public Health study published this month that examined the potential to re-frame climate change in terms of health, reader Stephanie Parent had this astute observation, one worth testing in follow up research. I was jazzed to read your article “Maibach et al., Reframing climate change as a public health issue:…
AAAS Establishes Early Career Award in Public Engagement
Posted by Matthew C. Nisbet on July 27, 2010 The announcement of this award is an important step towards greater recognition of the need for public engagement on the part of scientists and their institutions. AAAS should be commended for their commitment to leadership in this area. Details below and here. It will be interesting to see the criteria by which nominations are judged.…
Study: Re-Framing Climate Change as a Public Health Issue
Posted by Matthew C. Nisbet on July 20, 2010 Changing the conversation about climate change: Graduate students from American and George Mason Universities prepare interview tent on the National Mall. WASHINGTON, DC — How do Americans respond when they are asked to reflect on the public health risks of climate change and the benefits to health from mitigation-related actions? In other words, if we…
Reflections on American Academy’s Report: Do Scientists Understand the Public?
Posted by Matthew C. Nisbet on June 30, 2010 Held in over 30 countries, the World Wide Views on Global Warming initiative represents the state-of-the-art in new approaches to public engagement, the subject of several recent reports and meetings. This video features a short documentary on the Australian event. Over the weekend, my friend Chris Mooney contributed an excellent op-ed to the Washington Post…
CalTech Scientists Test World Cup Ball and a U.S. Prediction
Posted by Matthew C. Nisbet on June 25, 2010 You have to like the U.S. chances in advancing to the semi-finals of the World Cup. That’s right, the semi-finals. If the U.S. beats Ghana on Saturday–and they should be a favorite–they play the winner of Uruguay and S. Korea in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, readers will find interesting this video from Reuters featuring CalTech scientists…