How to Be a Scientist: Responsible Conduct in Scientific Research

Author: Liu Huajie, U.S. Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Preface to the Series on Science Communication by Peking University
The socialization of science and the scientization of society are prominent features of our era. Extensive and in-depth communication between science and society are the demands of the time. On one hand, the development of science in a democratic society requires public understanding to gain support from the public and society; on the other hand, the state aims to significantly improve the modern scientific literacy of its citizens to enhance comprehensive national strength. Science communication (ScienceCommunication) is a product of this era of scientization and democratization. It introduces the dimension of "communication" into the social study of science, and is an interdisciplinary academic endeavor based on disciplines such as the history of science, philosophy of science, sociology of science, and communication studies. It emphasizes the two-way interaction between science and the public, serving as an extension and deepening of traditional science popularization (SciencePopularization) and public understanding of science (PublicUnderstandingofScience). With the involvement of mass media and market mechanisms in science popularization efforts, and as the concept of "communication" permeates the field of social research in science, China's science communication initiatives are gradually taking shape. On one hand, society needs a large number of science communication professionals with a basic theoretical foundation in science communication; on the other hand, China's theoretical research in science communication has yet to establish a consensus-based theoretical framework or develop fundamental paradigms. Due to the lack of a professional teaching system in science communication, tens of thousands of editors, directors, reporters, and publishers engaged in science-related film, reporting, and publishing have rarely received formal training in science communication. Without a specialized and well-trained science communication workforce, mass media struggle to conduct high-level science communication. At the same time, the lack of professional theoretical research in science communication makes it difficult for the state to formulate fully, reasonably, and effectively policies aimed at improving public scientific literacy, and as a result, China's science popularization efforts have not achieved outstanding results. Since its establishment, the Science Communication Center at Peking University has been directly involved in primary-level science communication for the public while also focusing on secondary-level theoretical research in science communication. This series will reflect our basic approach to theoretical research in science communication. As a research endeavor starting from scratch, we must first understand the advanced experiences and established theories in science communication from developed countries. Therefore, the primary works we will publish in this series will be translations. Later, we will also continue to release original theoretical works and textbooks in science communication rooted in local contexts and with distinctive characteristics. We hope that scholars, colleagues in the communication field, and will kindly offer advice to help us produce this series successfully. Wu Guosheng, December 2003, Peking University, Weixiuyuan, Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy, U.S. Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy