An insightful mosaic of global perspectives on science communication
In an era of intensifying global challenges—be they environmental crises, pandemic misinformation, or the ethical dilemmas of artificial intelligence—the relationship between science and society is more vital than ever. “Science Cultures in a Diverse World: Knowing, Sharing, Caring” offers a timely, nuanced, and international response to these pressing intersections. Edited by Bernard Schiele, Xuan Liu, and Martin W. Bauer, this volume brings together seventeen peer-reviewed chapters from 33 authors across 16 countries, originating from the 2018 Science&You conference held in Beijing.
A Book Born of Global Dialogue
As highlighted in the Forewords by Pierre Mutzenhardt and Han Qide, the genesis of this book is rooted in the ambition to forge transnational partnerships around science communication. The Science&You initiative, originally stemming from France’s Journées Hubert Curien, and expanded to China via the National Academy of Innovation Strategy (NAIS), is the intellectual and cultural springboard of the volume.
The editors present the book not just as a collection of case studies, but as an invitation to rethink science communication in a world shaped by diversity—in language, politics, technology, and the public. Its subtitle, “Knowing, Sharing, Caring”, becomes a mantra for re-imagining the responsibilities and reach of science across global societies.
Core Themes: From Knowledge to Responsibility
Each chapter engages with the challenges and possibilities of scientific communication in unique cultural contexts. Topics range from the cultural distance model in India (Chap. 8) and the role of religious beliefs in Africa’s science reception (Chap. 7), to emerging public attitudes toward autonomous vehicles (Chap. 13) and science festivals in Greece (Chap. 4). These diverse contributions highlight the pluriversal nature of science cultures, as opposed to a one-size-fits-all model of “scientific literacy”.
In the Opening Address, Italian sociologist Massimiano Bucchi outlines the challenges of Science Communication 2.0, arguing that the proliferation of digital media has created a fragmented communicative landscape where credibility, expertise, and public trust are constantly negotiated. His call for “rethinking science–society relations” sets a reflective and critical tone for the entire book.
Why It Matters: Science in Society Today
In contrast to volumes focused strictly on institutional science policy or media analysis, this book is deeply humanistic, considering science culture as a lived experience embedded in societal dynamics, media flows, religious beliefs, and national policies. From the Brazilian science museum sector’s struggle with defunding (Chap. 17) to Canada’s adaptation to new digital platforms (Chap. 5), it addresses the cultural infrastructures that sustain or disrupt public engagement with science.
One striking contribution is Michel Claessens’ call for a World Investigation of Science Culture (WISE)—a global alliance for mapping, measuring, and comparing science culture internationally. His proposal reflects the book’s larger ambition: to create tools not just for critique, but for cooperation.
What Others Are Saying
Online, SpringerLink describes the volume as “[focusing] on science communication from a cultural perspective with a global scope,” underscoring its relevance for scholars, policy-makers, and science communicators alike. The editors’ collective credentials—from the London School of Economics to the Chinese Academy of Innovation Strategy—signal a deeply rooted engagement with both the theory and practice of science in society.
Meanwhile, a reader review on Goodreads praises the book’s “astounding diversity of viewpoints,” though also notes that “the academic tone may be dense for general readers.” This points to its primary audience: researchers, advanced students, and professionals in science communication, STS (Science and Technology Studies), and cultural policy.
Conclusion: Diversity as a Strength and a Challenge
“Science Cultures in a Diverse World” doesn’t provide easy answers. Instead, it offers rich frameworks for asking better questions—about how science is shaped by and shapes our cultures, values, and public spaces. It is both a landmark of international scholarly collaboration and a toolkit for those reimagining the future of science communication in a world that is as fractured as it is interconnected.
For any reader concerned with the evolving role of science in a globalised, post-pandemic, and digitally mediated society, this book is not just timely—it’s essential.