---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Sheila Ferguson <ferguson@physics.harvard.edu>
Date: Fri, Sep 12, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Subject: workshop on the communication of science
To: Grads <grads@physics.harvard.edu>



THE SCIENTIST AS CITIZEN

A three-part workshop on the communication of science for graduate students in the natural sciences and engineering


For years, people have bemoaned the gulf of incomprehension between technical elites and the lay public. Today this gulf is wider than ever. And, as more and more political decisions hinge on matters of science and technology, it has big implications for the functioning of democracy.


To address this problem, the Harvard University Center for the Environment is offering a three-part workshop (or short course) on communicating science for graduate students and post-docs pursuing a career in engineering and natural sciences. The workshop will be offered four times this fall semester.


The course has two aims. The first goal is to remind scientists that their obligations extend beyond research and publication in the scholarly literature – they have an affirmative obligation as citizens to participate in our democracy and speak out on matters of public importance, especially when the debate hinges on scientific information. Its second goal is to offer practical suggestions for communicating their ideas more effectively.


It has three parts:

1: The scientist/engineer as source – dealing with the public, talking to the news media.

2: The scientist/engineer as writer – writing letters and essays for the op-ed pages, putting science online, writing articles and books for a lay audience.

3: The scientist/engineer as expert – translating scientific knowledge or engineering expertise into useful policy advice or other expert guidance.


INSTRUCTOR: Cornelia Dean

Cory Dean is a science writer and former science editor of The New York Times and a lecturer in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard.


DETAILS

Workshop/Short Course Session Dates:

1. Sept. 25, Oct. 2, and Oct. 9
2. Oct. 16, Oct. 23, and Oct. 30
3. Nov. 6, Nov. 13, and Nov. 20
4. Dec. 4, Dec. 11, and Dec. 18



All classes meet from 5:00 – 7:00 pm

Geological Museum (24 Oxford St.) Room TBA

Light supper provided.

To sign up, contact Lisa Matthews, HUCE Events Coordinator, with the session number you would like to enroll in: lisa_matthews@harvard.edu.

Enrollment in each session will be limited to 12.


Lisa Matthews

Events Coordinator

Harvard University Center for the Environment

24 Oxford Street

Cambridge, MA 02138

lisa_matthews@harvard.edu

p. 617-495-8883

f. 617-496-0425