Slides from Sept 2018 presentation to the AAAS Science and Technology Fellows Program.

1. Scientists in Civic Life
Facilitating dialogue-based science communication
Matthew C. Nisbet
Northeastern University
Boston, MA USA
www.matthewnisbet.org

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Dan Kahan
Kahan, D. M., Peters, E., Wittlin, M., Slovic, P., Ouellette, L. L., Braman, D., & Mandel, G. (2012). The polarizing impact of
science literacy and numeracy on perceived climate change risks. Nature Climate Change, 2(10), 732-735.
Science Literacy and Cultural Cognition
The influence of knowledge varies by partisan identity

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Nisbet, M., & Markowitz, E. M. (2014). Understanding public opinion in debates over biomedical research: looking beyond
political partisanship to focus on beliefs about science and society. PloS one, 9(2), e88473.
College Educated Partisans are the Most Polarized
They are better able to identify congruent arguments and resist opposing ones

6. A Perfect Storm of Partisan Cues
The March for Science mobilized liberals and activists

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Mental Models about Science and Society
Measuring scientific optimism and scientific reservations

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Segmenting Public by Views of Science and Society
The most optimist are the best off and the most secular

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The Gene Editing Conversation
The most religious + most knowledgeable prefer dialogue

13. Source: Roser-Renouf et al. (2016). Yale/GMU Climate Communication Project.

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15. @MCNisbetSource: Lewis, MacGregor, & Putnam, R. D. (2013). Social Science Research

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o Be policy relevant, not policy prescriptive. Rather than arguing for
specific policy outcome, work to make sure that science is used in
reaching decision. Try to expand discussion of policy options and
solutions, rather than narrow them.
o Partner with other experts and stakeholders who can speak to
multiple dimensions of a science-related issue. Emphasize
consensus evidence endorsed by diversity of expert bodies or
groups.
o Openly talk about uncertainty and be transparent in how
uncertainty is resolved and conclusions reached. Emphasize
openness to scrutiny and correction by peers, journalists, and the
public.
Jamieson, K. H., & Hardy, B. W. (2014). Leveraging scientific credibility about Arctic sea ice trends in a polarized political
environment. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111(Supplement 4), 13598-13605; Druckman, JN (2015).
Communicating Policy-Relevant Science. PS: Political Science & Politics , 48 (S1), 58-69.
Best Practices in Providing Expert Advice
Work with partners, make science policy relevant, and acknowledge uncertainty

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Kahan et al 2007
Pielke 2007
Diversify Rather than Narrow Policy Options
The more options, the more opportunity for agreement

18. Work with opinion leaders who share identity
Religious scientists can bridge two cultures

19. Nisbet, M. C. (2004). Public opinion about stem cell research and human cloning. Public Opinion Quarterly, 68(1), 131-154.
JDRF 2001 -- As you may already
know, a stem cell is the basic cell in the
body from which all other cells arise.
Medical researchers have been able to
isolate stem cells from excess human
embryos developed through in vitro
fertilization and fetal tissue that has
been donated to research. The medical
researchers believe that human stem
cells can be developed as replacement
cells to cure diseases such as
diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s,
cancer, heart disease, arthritis, burns,
or spinal cord problems. Do you favor
the funding of stem cell research by the
National Institutes of Health?
Anticipate the Impact of Framing
Particularly relevant to emerging, unfamiliar issues

20. Nisbet, M. C. (2004). Public opinion about stem cell research and human cloning. Public Opinion Quarterly, 68(1), 131-154.
NCBB 2001 -- Stem cells are the basic
cells from which all of a person’s
tissues and organs develop. Congress
is considering whether to provide
funding for experiments using stem
cells from human embryos. The live
embryos would be destroyed in their
first week of development to obtain
these cells. Do you support or oppose
using your federal tax dollars for
such experiments?
Anticipate the Impact of Framing
Particularly relevant to emerging, unfamiliar issues

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Framing Dialogue
The case of teaching evolution

22. Source: ecoAmerica (2016). Let’s Talk Faith and Climate.
Narratives that affirm religious values and identity
Empowering congregational opinion leaders

23. Source: ecoAmerica (2016). Let’s Talk Faith and Climate.
Narratives that affirm religious values and identity
Empowering congregational opinion leaders

24. Source: Marshall et al. (2016). Faith & Climate Change. Climate Outreach.
Narratives that affirm religious values and identity
Talking about climate change across major faiths

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www.matthewnisbet.org
nisbetmc@gmail.com