Other recommendations included: The enforcement of comprehensive monitoring over nuclear weapons, nu

RESPONSIBLE SCIENCE COMMUNICATION AND THE TRIPLE HELIX MODEL FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

Science 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.

It is time to take the diffusion of knowledge and the communication of science and technology about nuclear non-proliferation out of the arena of specialization and unpack it for the general public.

Science communication to succeed needs to inform non-scientists about recent advances in science, technology, other areas of scientific development, its history, and ensure there is a basis of understanding.

To guide international disarmament research a scientific laboratory whose international participants can share knowledge is of utmost necessity to foster scientific cooperation and share its work with the public. The recent inconclusive end to the NPT PrepCom meeting in New York and dismal prospects for nuclear arms control in general adds urgency to the proposal. ment together to put knowledge to use to create innovative new solutions would well serve the purpose.

As it is, the CTBTO successfully engages universities in basic research, industries to produce commercial goods, and governments for regulation.

Henry Etzkowitz and Loet Leydesdorff, originators in the 1990s of the Triple Helix model proposed academia lead the way and anticipated innovation, hybrid systems and new chemistry as the yield of such a marriage.

The model is based on knowledge-intensive development and anticipates, reflects and adapts to different conditions across regional, local and national conditions crossing institutional boundaries to further communicate and diffuse knowledge about the benefits of nuclear disarmament. By Anjan Chamuah Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi, India

New tools, as yet unused for arms control, such as the Triple Helix (TH) model, bringing academia, industry, and governScientist across the world play a significant role in nuclear arms control, for example, developing and improving the technologies for detecting nuclear testing and illicit weapons programmes.

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 CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF THE COLLAGEN TRIPLE HELIX MODEL

about the future through collective stewardship of science and innovation. Irresponsible innovations are seldom the outcome of a single, irresponsible actor.

The participation of different stakeholders and getting the views of actors through group discussions, semi-structured interviews, debates and workshops also enhances proper dissemination of knowledge to target groups.

Inviting input from stakeholders and the wider public can change and direct innovation ensuring responsiveness and evolution introducing reflexive feedback and insight into actions.

Effective science communication has to overcome institutional, social and technical complexities. Building interest in science through media, dialogue, applying skills and organizing activities can lead to appreciation and enjoyment of it.

And for the lay person the AEIOU analogy approach is of help by promoting: • Awareness, • Enjoyment, • Interest, • Opinion-forming and • Understanding. Technology, it has been said, is not only a machine, it has social, political and cultural implications. Science communicators thus act as mediators communicating and disseminating scientific knowledge to the general public.

Addressing specific social, cultural and political conditions are also essential for effective communication.

Responsible science communication bolstered by a Triple Helix disarmament model sows the seeds of innovation and aims to enhance public understanding of science, creating awareness, building science literacy, heralding interest, confidence and willingness to engage in science and providing empowerment.

Embedding values like knowledge diffusion is not a linear process - preferably, it is an iterative process where anticipation, participation, deliberation, responsiveness and reflexivity of all the stakeholders determine proper dissemination and implementation.

So for responsible science communication, the dimension of anticipation plays a 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 directly 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 helix, agriculture and technological dynamics in society.