The Changing Paradigm of Science Communication: Challenges for Researchers

Abstract

Although it is widely acknowledged that “communicating is the doing of science”, para- doxically, most researchers are seen as mediocre communicators. Obstacles to communi- cation can be found inside the scientific community, in the training young researchers receive, in the nature of the research being conducted and in some of the values and con- cepts the academic culture nurtures. A new learning model is needed for researchers to develop new skills; in particular they must become reflective in order to move from a lin- ear model of “public understanding of science” to a “democratic” model where they share with non-experts societal and scientific problems