communication

A call out for texts on (public health) science communication

Af Den Under public health science communication · 4 Comments

“Public Health Science Communication”. The name of the course that I’ll be teaching to master students of Public Health Sciences at University of Copenhagen this fall. It will be my first more formal teaching responsibility. I’m super exited about it, but must admit that I at the same time am a nervous rack. How did time pass so quickly that all of a sudden I’m the one who (is supposed to) know everything about science communication in public health – or at least enough to pass it on to others? On the other hand, I’m sure that most teachers had the same feeling the first time they taught, and I’m told that even very experienced teachers and lectures still feel so. In that way all my emotions are probably pretty ‘standard’.

Your favorite texts on (public health) science communication

None the less, I am reluctant yet to call myself a public health science communication expert. And in the planning phase of my course it would be absolutely wonderful if some of all you experts and non-experts working with or interested in science communication would be willing to share some tips on reading materials for the students.

  • What are the must reads for any science communication student?
  • What opened your eyes to the field?
  • What topics should be covered?
  • Who are the good old ‘gurus’ in science communication and who are the new ones according to you?
  • And are there some shinning examples of good health sciences communication which I should not miss introducing the students to, and what are the examples of bad science communication?

Public health is of course at the core, but examples and science communication theories from all other disciplines are more than welcome!

Science communication is understood in its broad sense. Not just as dissemination, but as communication. And it is communication between researchers, to the public, to policy makers, journalists and communicators etc.

Your help would be greatly appreciated! And I promise to keep you updated on the course’s development in the time to come.

All tips can be posted as comments on this blog or if you’re shy on email to ninabjerglund@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Tagged with → • • • • • • • • • • • • •  
Share →
  • http://www.museion.ku.dk/about-museion/staff/louise-whiteley/ Louise Whiteley

    Hi Nina – For the academic study of public communication aspect, Alice Bell’s 2011 list (plus comment 2) is a great resource, and I’ve got most of the pieces…
    http://alicerosebell.wordpress.com/2011/03/08/science-communication-101-bibliography/, plus her list on social studies of science could give you some short excerpts for setting the scene (I like the Bucchi book), and the journals listed at the bottom are a good source for case studies.

    I’ll dig through my recent notes soon too, but in the meantime a couple of small ideas: Asking the students to take a look at the university department webpages, and research funders’ websites/blogs could be a concrete way to discuss this piece of the communication puzzle. In terms of new media, I’m sure you have on your list the Webicina project as an example of ‘cutting edge’ and developing social media work, and the Journal of Medical Internet Research is worth a dig too: http://www.jmir.org/.

    • http://twitter.com/Bjerglund Nina Bjerglund

      Thank you Louise! This is very helpful. Its good to get started on this for real. Look forward to talking tomorrow!

  • http://www.museion.ku.dk/about-museion/staff/louise-whiteley/ Louise Whiteley

    Hi again! I’ve just tweeted links to these two – good texts for an introductory session to get some discussion going perhaps?

    http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110126/full/469445a.html

    http://www.nature.com/news/writers-should-not-fear-jargon-1.11054

    • http://twitter.com/Bjerglund Nina Bjerglund

      Thanks! Great starting points for discussion!