Invertebrates in Science Communication: Confronting Scientists’ Practices and the Public’s Expectations
Good science communication should give the public the tools to make informed decisions and take action, which can be particularly important for nature conservation. The crisis in invertebrate conservation might be rooted in public prejudices against invertebrate animals, which are perceived as the u...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2021-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2021.606416/full |
| _version_ | 1818624231921942528 |
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| author | Rodrigo B. Salvador Barbara M. Tomotani Katrin L. O’Donnell Daniel C. Cavallari João V. Tomotani Rhian A. Salmon Julia Kasper |
| author_facet | Rodrigo B. Salvador Barbara M. Tomotani Katrin L. O’Donnell Daniel C. Cavallari João V. Tomotani Rhian A. Salmon Julia Kasper |
| author_sort | Rodrigo B. Salvador |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Good science communication should give the public the tools to make informed decisions and take action, which can be particularly important for nature conservation. The crisis in invertebrate conservation might be rooted in public prejudices against invertebrate animals, which are perceived as the unpopular 97% of Earth’s animal biodiversity. As such, how we approach science communication regarding those animals might yet play a critical role in their conservation. Given how specialized a topic invertebrate biology is, a large part of its communication fall to scientists. Here, we surveyed both scientists and members of the public about the former’s approaches and assumptions and the latter’s interest and expectations regarding invertebrate science communication, confronting the results of each survey. Our findings show that scientists and the public are only tangentially aligned; there is plenty of ground scientists and communicators need to pay attention to and explore better in order to achieve more meaningful and balanced science communication. Among other findings, topics and approaches that could be used to greater effect include (depending on age groups of the audience) history, folklore, pop culture, and pathology. Our results have unveiled some issues in science communication of invertebrates and are thus a good first approach to start defining the way forward. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T18:53:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f82273826e114e99a5bab0febf75a9fe |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-665X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T18:53:41Z |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-f82273826e114e99a5bab0febf75a9fe2022-12-21T22:20:36ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Environmental Science2296-665X2021-03-01910.3389/fenvs.2021.606416606416Invertebrates in Science Communication: Confronting Scientists’ Practices and the Public’s ExpectationsRodrigo B. Salvador0Barbara M. Tomotani1Katrin L. O’Donnell2Daniel C. Cavallari3João V. Tomotani4Rhian A. Salmon5Julia Kasper6Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington, New ZealandDepartment of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, NetherlandsCentre for Science in Society, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New ZealandFaculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, BrazilEscola Politécnica, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilCentre for Science in Society, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New ZealandMuseum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington, New ZealandGood science communication should give the public the tools to make informed decisions and take action, which can be particularly important for nature conservation. The crisis in invertebrate conservation might be rooted in public prejudices against invertebrate animals, which are perceived as the unpopular 97% of Earth’s animal biodiversity. As such, how we approach science communication regarding those animals might yet play a critical role in their conservation. Given how specialized a topic invertebrate biology is, a large part of its communication fall to scientists. Here, we surveyed both scientists and members of the public about the former’s approaches and assumptions and the latter’s interest and expectations regarding invertebrate science communication, confronting the results of each survey. Our findings show that scientists and the public are only tangentially aligned; there is plenty of ground scientists and communicators need to pay attention to and explore better in order to achieve more meaningful and balanced science communication. Among other findings, topics and approaches that could be used to greater effect include (depending on age groups of the audience) history, folklore, pop culture, and pathology. Our results have unveiled some issues in science communication of invertebrates and are thus a good first approach to start defining the way forward.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2021.606416/fullconservationhands-on activitiesoutreachpublic engagementsocial media |
| spellingShingle | Rodrigo B. Salvador Barbara M. Tomotani Katrin L. O’Donnell Daniel C. Cavallari João V. Tomotani Rhian A. Salmon Julia Kasper Invertebrates in Science Communication: Confronting Scientists’ Practices and the Public’s Expectations Frontiers in Environmental Science conservation hands-on activities outreach public engagement social media |
| title | Invertebrates in Science Communication: Confronting Scientists’ Practices and the Public’s Expectations |
| title_full | Invertebrates in Science Communication: Confronting Scientists’ Practices and the Public’s Expectations |
| title_fullStr | Invertebrates in Science Communication: Confronting Scientists’ Practices and the Public’s Expectations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Invertebrates in Science Communication: Confronting Scientists’ Practices and the Public’s Expectations |
| title_short | Invertebrates in Science Communication: Confronting Scientists’ Practices and the Public’s Expectations |
| title_sort | invertebrates in science communication confronting scientists practices and the public s expectations |
| topic | conservation hands-on activities outreach public engagement social media |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2021.606416/full |
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