Editors: Donghong Cheng, Michel Claessens, and Toss Gascoigne
Publisher: Springer (2008)
A Thought-Provoking Collection for the New Age of Science Communication
In a world where public understanding of science is more critical than ever, Communicating Science in Social Contexts: New Models, New Practices serves as a timely and insightful contribution to the evolving landscape of science communication. Edited by three respected figures in the field—Donghong Cheng, Michel Claessens, and Toss Gascoigne—the volume brings together a global community of scholars and practitioners to examine how the relationship between science and society is being redefined in the 21st century.
Based on the proceedings of the PCST-9 conference (Seoul, 2006), this book collects 26 chapters authored by contributors from more than 15 countries, showcasing a rich diversity of perspectives and case studies. It charts a shift away from the traditional “deficit model” of science communication—where the public is viewed as empty vessels to be filled with scientific knowledge—toward models that emphasise dialogue, engagement, and cultural context.
Key Themes and Insights
At its core, the book reflects on the changing expectations of the public toward science, and the equally shifting demands placed on scientists to be communicators, educators, and even entertainers. As Martin W. Bauer notes in the book’s opening chapter, “Surveying the field,” we are witnessing the rise of “participatory science communication”—a move toward more reciprocal relationships between scientists and the wider public.
Throughout the book, contributors explore models such as the Public Engagement with Science (PES) paradigm, science cafés, citizen juries, museum interactivity, and media collaborations. These new practices are not simply theoretical but are grounded in case studies from countries like Brazil, China, Sweden, Australia, and South Africa, making the book genuinely global in its scope.
Chapters such as “Science communication in Brazil: a historical review and considerations about current situation and challenges” by Luisa Massarani and Ildeu Moreira, and “Science on television: a difficult relationship” by Manuel Telo and Alice Gori Maia, highlight the cultural specificity of science communication. Others explore the institutional tensions that arise when scientists are encouraged—or even required—to engage with the public in unfamiliar formats.
A Bridge Between Academia and Practice
This volume is particularly valuable for science communicators, museum curators, policy makers, science journalists, and students in science and society studies. Each chapter is academically rigorous, yet the accessible language and structure make it useful for practitioners looking for ideas that can be applied in real-world contexts.
As Toss Gascoigne writes in his contribution, science communication is no longer a luxury but a “strategic necessity”—both for science itself and for the societies that fund and benefit from it. In this sense, Communicating Science in Social Contexts operates both as a diagnostic tool and a guidebook, helping readers navigate a fast-changing field.
What Reviewers Say
While formal academic reviews of the book are relatively scarce online, the volume has received positive mentions in science communication circles:
- On Goodreads, one reader praises the book as “an essential resource for anyone studying the public understanding of science.“
- SciDev.Net, in a feature on global science communication, refers to the book’s editors as “leaders in bridging Western and non-Western approaches to science engagement.“
- In academic circles, it has been cited as a foundational text in multiple studies exploring science engagement, citizen science, and the role of media in science dissemination.
Conclusion
Communicating Science in Social Contexts: New Models, New Practices offers an important and forward-looking examination of science in society. It challenges old assumptions and introduces readers to a wealth of innovative practices from around the globe. Whether you’re a science communicator, a policymaker, or a researcher, this book will provoke thought, stir debate, and—most importantly—inspire action.
As we continue to confront global challenges—climate change, pandemics, and emerging technologies—the way we communicate science matters more than ever. This book provides both a map and a compass for that journey.