ABSTRACT

Public engagement with science is emerging in research and practice, but most research focuses on perspectives of and/or outcomes for public communities, not scientists. However, multi-way communication and mutual learning among community members and scientists are key features defining public engagement of science. In this perspectives article, focused on three studies of scientists' experiences, we identified areas needing improvement to achieve meaningful community engagement. In the first study, university researchers' self-reflections show mismatches in power dynamics with their participants, potentially limiting the mutuality of the exchange. In a second study, we found even herpetologists with extensive engagement experience rarely considered evaluating their activities. Finally, scientists who have gone through professional development in communication and/ or education may still have mismatches between their professed understanding of true engagement and their actions during engagement. We conclude with recommendations for scientist professional development to move toward truly inclusive (in all senses) science engagement.

摘要

公众对科学的参与正在研究和实践中出现，但大多数研究侧重于公共社区的观点和/或结果，而不是科学家。然而，社区成员和科学家之间的多方沟通和相互学习是定义公众参与科学的关键特征。在这篇观点文章中，重点关注了对科学家经验的三项研究，我们确定了需要改进的领域以实现有意义的社区参与。在第一项研究中，大学研究人员的自我反思表明，参与者之间的权力动态不匹配，这可能会限制交换的相互性。在第二项研究中，我们发现即使是具有丰富参与经验的爬行动物学家也很少考虑评估他们的活动。最后，在沟通和/或教育方面经历过专业发展的科学家，他们所声称的对真正参与的理解与他们在参与过程中的行动之间可能仍然不匹配。最后，我们提出了对科学家专业发展的建议，以实现真正包容性（在所有意义上）的科学参与。