Risk, Science and Public Communication: Third-order Thinking about Scientific Culture

Alan Irwin

doi:10.4324/9781003039242-9-9

Risk, Science and Public Communication: Third-order Thinking about Scientific Culture

Alan Irwin

Department of Organization

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Book chapter › Research › peer-review

Abstract

Cases such as climate change, BSE and COVID-19 remind us that science communication is central to risk-related decision-making and public governance. Issues arising include how to communicate about social and technical uncertainties, and how to engage with matters of ethical choice, value and personal responsibility. In this context, first-order thinking is based on the ‘deficit’ model of public ignorance and one-way communication. Second-order thinking builds upon notions of two-way exchange and open dialogue. Third-order thinking asks more fundamental questions about the need for change and different futures. The chapter concludes with thoughts on the road ahead for science communication and its relationship to scientific culture.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Routledge Handbook of Public Communication of Science and Technology
Editors	Massimiano Bucchi, Brian Trench
Number of pages	16
Place of Publication	Abingdon
Publisher	Routledge
Publication date	2021
Edition	3.
Pages	147-162
Chapter	9
ISBN (Print)	9780367483128, 9780367702946
ISBN (Electronic)	9781003039242
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003039242-9-9
Publication status	Published - 2021

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