SCIENCE
RESPONSIBLE SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
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cience gave birth to nuclear weapons and science has been an essential tool blunting the threat of their devastating power. Anjan Chamuah calls for a new initiative between scientists and other partners with communication with the public its key to revitalize flagging nuclear non-proliferation initiatives.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Structure, Nevit Dilmen, CC BY-SA
AND THE TRIPLE HELIX MODEL FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF THE COLLAGEN TRIPLE HELIX MODEL
nologies for detecting nuclear testing and illicit weapons programmes.
By Anjan Chamuah Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi, India
ment together to put knowledge to use to It is time to take the diffusion of knowl- create innovative new solutions would well edge and the communication of science serve the purpose. and technology about nuclear non-proliferation out of the arena of specialization As it is, the CTBTO successfully engages and unpack it for the general public. universities in basic research, industries to produce commercial goods, and governScience communication to succeed ments for regulation. needs to inform non-scientists about recent advances in science, technology, other Henry Etzkowitz and Loet Leydesdorff, areas of scientific development, its history, originators in the 1990s of the Triple Helix and ensure there is a basis of understand- model proposed academia lead the way ing. and anticipated innovation, hybrid systems and new chemistry as the yield of To guide international disarmament re- such a marriage. search a scientific laboratory whose international participants can share knowledge The model is based on knowledge-intenis of utmost necessity to foster scientific sive development and anticipates, reflects cooperation and share its work with the and adapts to different conditions across public. The recent inconclusive end to the regional, local and national conditions NPT PrepCom meeting in New York and crossing institutional boundaries to furdismal prospects for nuclear arms control ther communicate and diffuse knowledge in general adds urgency to the proposal. about the benefits of nuclear disarmament. New tools, as yet unused for arms conScientist across the world play a signiftrol, such as the Triple Helix (TH) model, icant role in nuclear arms control, for exbringing academia, industry, and govern- ample, developing and improving the tech-
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By pursuing the noble goal of nuclear disarmament the scientific research community would explore technologies to support it through collaboration with industry and government. Institutional support will be necessary to initiate the process. Networking and communication will be crucial in streamlining knowledge and technology. Since the 1950’s the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs has brought scientists and other public figures together and contributed to treaties including the NPT and is a possible precursor to the outcomes of a Triple Helix disarmament model.
Holding communication to account To ensure robust results and outcomes for an issue such as nuclear disarmament, accountability, transparency, trust among participating the actors and stakeholders is of utmost importance to responsible science communication and accountability for failure or success has to be an important element in a Triple Helix disarmament model. Research shows that responsible innovation is the result of a collaborative and collective undertaking focused on caring
Technology, it has been said, is not only about the future through collective stewardship of science and innovation. Irre- a machine, it has social, political and culsponsible innovations are seldom the out- tural implications. Science communicators thus act as mediators communicating and come of a single, irresponsible actor. disseminating scientific knowledge to the The participation of different stakehold- general public. ers and getting the views of actors through Addressing specific social, cultural and group discussions, semi-structured interviews, debates and workshops also enhanc- political conditions are also essential for es proper dissemination of knowledge to effective communication. target groups. Responsible science communication Inviting input from stakeholders and bolstered by a Triple Helix disarmament the wider public can change and direct in- model sows the seeds of innovation and novation ensuring responsiveness and evo- aims to enhance public understanding lution introducing reflexive feedback and of science, creating awareness, building science literacy, heralding interest, confiinsight into actions. dence and willingness to engage in science Effective science communication has to and providing empowerment. overcome institutional, social and techniEmbedding values like knowledge diffucal complexities. Building interest in science through media, dialogue, applying sion is not a linear process - preferably, it skills and organizing activities can lead to is an iterative process where anticipation, participation, deliberation, responsiveness appreciation and enjoyment of it. and reflexivity of all the stakeholders deterAnd for the lay person the AEIOU analo- mine proper dissemination and implementation. gy approach is of help by promoting: • • • • •
Awareness, Enjoyment, Interest, Opinion-forming and Understanding.
rectly implemented; instead, explored its prospects by making some prototype. On successful launched of the prototype into the market substantiated by government institutions, the work of the scientist becomes fruitful, and the dimension of anticipation takes shape in responsible communication of the exact product. The participation of different stakeholders and actors’ views through group discussions, semi-structured interviews, debates and workshops also enhances proper dissemination of knowledge to target groups. Further, according to Zahinos, Singh, and González-Benítez (2013) deliberation is also ensured through the exchange of opinions and viewpoints, weighing and balancing arguments, and offering reflection and associations for streamlining of knowledge and information.
Anjan Chamuah is a PhD scholar in Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. His research focusses on new and emerging technology, responsible innovation, technology governance, sectoral system of innovation, science communication, triple So for responsible science communica- helix, agriculture and technological dytion, the dimension of anticipation plays a namics in society. significant role; which means exploring the future of idea, mechanisms, concepts, and prototypes. The advent of new technology to protect against nuclear threat are not di-
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