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How academic biologists and physicists view science outreach
Elaine Howard Ecklund1, Sarah A James, Anne E Lincoln
1Department of Sociology, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America. ehe@rice.edu
Plos One
|May 17, 2012
Summary
Academic scientists
Area of Science:
- Scientific communication
- Public engagement
- STEM outreach
Background:
- Growing call for U.S. scientists to increase public outreach.
- Limited systematic studies on scientists' perceptions of outreach barriers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To classify scientists' outreach activities and target audiences.
- To explore scientists' narratives on outreach and its academic reception.
- To identify perceived impediments to science outreach.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 97 semi-structured interviews with academic biologists and physicists.
- Focus on scientists at top U.S. research universities.
Main Results:
- Outreach activities are stratified by gender.
- University and disciplinary rewards influence outreach participation.
- Scientists' self-perceived skills impact engagement in outreach.
Conclusions:
- Understanding barriers is crucial for enhancing science outreach.
- University policies can foster greater public engagement by scientists.
- Addressing gender and reward structures can promote equitable outreach.
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