I enjoy receiving email and appreciate all of the feedback, links, and comments that have hit my inbox since Saturday's panel with Jennifer and Chris on Framing Science. While the focus of my portion highlighted ScienceDebate2008, several readers have written with specific questions on Framing itself--and you bet I have some strong opinions! So it's a good time to round up some of ye ol' posts from my first week at The Intersection and revisit these ideas eight months later. I'm interested to hear how readers feel about the way we convey science to those residing both in and outside of the ivory towers. Are we evolving in our approach to communication? Has Framing, in fact, had any impact beyond the discourse? Re-Framing While Chris Mooney's Away
Framing Science is neither solely about the Frame nor the Science. Discuss. Post a comment, we'll talk, no big whoop.'
Framing II: Weapons in the Form of Words
'Frame Science' in a language that turns people on with the goal of engaging a targeted audience to think and care about a critical issue. The magic recipe is in finding the right 'Frame' that fits.
Charismatic megafauna mostly appeal to those already convinced, but when human interests are part of the big picture, new possibilities abound. For action, as scientists we must present our message and rationale in a way that makes it personally relevant to everyone. Frame it right!
Framing IV: The Lorax Phenomenon
We need to repackage our delivery to the people who have greatest influence in policy. Scientists must work with folks in the marketing and business sectors to collaboratively understand the best means to convey our messages.
Framing is a concept, not dogma. We debate it's relevance mainly because as scientists we're accustomed to dissecting ideas. Viva la discourse!
The question I pose to readers is, are we making progress in the ways we think about, write, and explore our ideas? Are scientists and journalists improving our effectiveness at engaging broader audiences? Surely, we're not there yet, so let's take the pulse of Framing Science in 2008 and consider whether we're moving forward and where to go from here...
