The document discusses the role of a science communicator. A science communicator works to build bridges between the scientific community and stakeholders to foster public outreach from science. They aim to make science exciting and encourage careers in science. Science communicators create understanding of science through exhibitions, lectures, workshops and field trips. They introduce people to the scientific method using various engagement activities. Effective science communication requires using local languages, ensuring two-way communication, understanding the audience, and learning from the public. Science communicators must have strong analytical skills, be able to communicate effectively, be good listeners, and be able to explain complex topics simply. They organize various public engagement activities to communicate science.

1. Role of Science Communicator
Sandipan Dhar
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2. What is Science Communication ?
• To work towards finding ways of fostering
public outreach from the scientific community
by building bridges between science and its
stakeholders.
• Science Communication is about dealing with
science and issues of social responsibility
and citizenship
• Working to encourage people to think that
science is exciting, or that a career as a
scientist is a fulfilling one.
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3. PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF
SCIENCE
• What is it?
It is all the scientific technological knowledge acquired
and used by a person, who enables him or her to
understand the environment, act in everyday life and
think about major issues of the future
• Who for?
The science and technology play a cruicial role in our
everyday lives (health, food, environment, transport,
communications). Understanding them so as to make
better use of them is an issue for everybody!
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4. WHY POPULARIZE S&T
• To make learning and teaching of science
more effective
• To stimulate scientific temper
• To accelerate societal development
• To encourage informed decision making
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5. What for Science Communicators
are?
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6. CHALLENGES BEFORE SCIENCE
COMMUNICATORS
TARGET : Entire Population
PRIORITY : Children, Women, Teachers,
Workers, Others
ILLITERACY : Large Proportion untouched by
Education System
POVERTY : Alters Priorities
LANGUAGES : Multiple
REACH OF MASS MEDIA :GROWING
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7. WHAT IS THE ROLE OF SCIENCE
COMMUNICATORS:
• Creating understanding of science & technology
through exhibitions, visits or opportunities to meet
scientists
• Presenting them for discussion in the science
club, lectures or round tables;
• Introducing people to the scientific method
(observation, experimentation, analysis) by
means of workshops, clubs or field excursions.
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8. EFFECTIVE SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
BASIC PREMISES
• Use Of Local Languages
• Ensure Two-way Communication
• Method Over Content
• Understanding The Audience
(In Terms Of Idiom, Jokes, Societal Norms,
Problems, Concerns, Social Customs)
• Essential For Effective Communication Also To
Learn From Common People
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9. • A rigorous approach and a strong aptitude for
analysis to acquire the knowledge and a good
command of scientific methods.
• An aptitude for communication for capturing the
public’s attention.
• A good listening ability to adopt to the public, meet
their interest, arouse their ideas.
• A facility for explain to make complex information
on easy to understand.
• A sense of organisation for planning and carrying
through group activities. Page 9

10. REQUIREMENTS OF SCIENCE
COMMUNICATION:
• INFORMATION
• INFORMATION ON VARIOUS S&T TOPICS & SUBJECTS BOTH
OF TOPICAL & GENERAL NATURE
• SOFTWARE
• COMMUNICATORS
• MEDIA
• LANGUAGE VERSIONS
PEOPLE’S OWN LANGUAGE
RELEVANT
COMPREHENSIVE
REACH TO AUDIENCES
• DISSEMINATION NETWORK
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11. Where to start
 From what is known to what is unknown
 From something that is concrete then to one that is abstract
 From general and move on to particular
 From observation and then to theory
 From something simple before making it complex
 With an overview before introducing details.
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12. Depth:
 Awareness ( of natural & built environment),
 Focus on concepts ( environment & sustainability),
 Concepts in context (conditions & issues)
 Attention to different scales (local,regional,national
& global).
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13. Our Role in different activities
A Workshop:
Implementing a programme of activities, showing the
scientific method in action, and creating cohesion in the
group of participants.
A Meeting with Scientists:
Create the condition to allow both scientists and the
participants speak
A Field Excursion:
Organising the outing and guide the participants at the sites
visited
A Guided Tour:
Guiding the visitors in the scientists workplace, informing
visitors and encouraging easy dialogue with the experts. 13
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14. Communicating Science is a wonderful
recreation of mental health if one does not
have to earn one’s living at it….. Albert
Einstein
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