Engaging unengaged public groups and individuals: What’s in it for scientists?
A group of scientists and science communicators are assembling information about how public engagement by scientists might directly benefit the research and careers of individual scientists. Our focus is on scientists who have worked with "unengaged" groups or individuals, i.e., those who rarely seek out or experience science education experiences. These groups or individuals may be unengaged because they: perceive science experiences as irrelevant to their lives; may be intimidated by the way information is presented; may not interested in science; and/or do not have direct access to science due to physical or legal limitations that they cannot overcome. We are aware of many examples of public engagement by scientists that benefit public audiences or the scientific enterprise as a whole. In contrast, we are seeking descriptions of interactions between scientists and unengaged groups or individuals that have that move forward an individual scientist’s own research. This might involve the collection or augmentation of data; fulfilling the NSF Broader Impacts criterion, leading to novel funding sources, or attracting positive media through unusual partnerships. We are particularly interested in learning about interactions between scientists and unengaged groups or individuals that have led to an important scientific insight that resulted in significant changes in the way the scientist has conducted his/her research, or changing the conceptual underpinnings of his/her research. Please send us a brief description (500 words or less) of such examples and if applicable, citations of publications that have resulted from such interactions. If you've heard of an example but are unsure of the details, we'd welcome whatever information you have and will do our best to fill out the story and verify it. Please send your descriptions to Nalini Nadkarni ([email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>). We plan on widely sharing the results of this query and greatly appreciate your participation. Thanks! ---Nalini Nadkarni, Doug Levey, Keegan Sawyer, Brooke Smith, May Berenbaum, Pam Sturner, Daniel Colon-Ramos -- Nalini M. Nadkarni Professor, Department of Biology Director, Center for Science and Math Education 401/402 Aline Skaggs Building University of Utah Salt Lake City, Utah 84112 (360) 870-6632 Www.nalininadkarni.com Www.researchambassador.com Www.sustainableprisons.org Www.evergreen.edu/ican [email protected]
