How do you engage with the public about controversial or difficult subjects? It is easy to fall into the trap of the so-called deficit model: if only people had all the facts, they would change their minds. This module will cover key points for dealing with complex conversations.
Improve your arguments by appearing receptive:
Yeomans, M. (2021) Argue better by signalling your receptiveness with these words
Stop explaining so much – research shows that more facts do not change minds:
Freise, A. (2016). It’s Time for Scientists to Stop Explaining So Much
Tactics for discussing controversial topics:
Ascb, The American Society for Cell Biology. Discussing Controversial Topics
How to prepare for a discussion on a controversial topic [in French with English subtitles]:
Lalande, V. (2021). Sujet polémique : comment se préparer ? | Sciences & Médias #22
Cook, B. R., & Overpeck, J. T. (2019). Relationship-building between climate scientists and publics as an alternative to information transfer. WIREs Climate Change, 10(2), e570.
Houtman, D., Vijlbrief, B., & Riedijk, S. (2021).
Experts in science communication. EMBO Reports, 22(8), e52988.
M Reincke, C., L Bredenoord, A., & van Mil. (2020). From deficit to dialogue in science communication. EMBO Reports, 21(9), e51278.
Sciences, N. A. of. (2018). Science Communication in a Politically Charged Environment. National Academies Press (US).
Wolsko, C., Ariceaga, H., & Seiden, J. (2016). Red, white, and blue enough to be green: Effects of moral framing on climate change attitudes and conservation behaviors. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 65, 7–19.
H.D. Dufour, PhD, Director Le Cercle FSER, France, EuroScitizen WG5 leader
F. Bilak, Project Manager at Le Cercle FSER, France, EuroScitizen WG5 member
M. Varga, PhD, Associate Professor, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary; EuroScitizen WG4&5 member
S. Ambrósio, PhD, Researcher, CIDTFF –University of Aveiro, Portugal, EuroScitizen WG5 Vice-Leader
L. Martinelli, PhD, Senior Researcher, MUSE – Science museum, Trento, Italy, EuroScitizen WG3&5 member
E. Pelc, Communication Manager at Le Cercle FSER, France
A. Bajrami, PhD, Researcher, University of Tirana, Albania, EuroScitizen WG4 Member
F. Bilak, Project Manager at Le Cercle FSER, France, EuroScitizen WG5 member
A. Bilbao, Researcher
R. Branquinho, PhD, Researcher and Science Manager, University of Porto – Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Portugal, EuroScitizen WG4 Member
E. Butkeviciene, PhD, Researcher, Kaunas University of Technology
H.D. Dufour, PhD, Director, Le Cercle FSER, France, EuroScitizen WG5 leader
R.M. Dvorakova, PhD, Researcher, Charles University, Czech Republic, EuroScitizen WG1 and WG2 member
V. Janstova, PhD, Researcher, Charles University, Czech Republic
M.J. Fonseca, PhD, Head of Communication, Natural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto, Portugal
M. Kapetanakis, Researcher
L. Martinelli, PhD, Senior Researcher, MUSE – Science museum, Trento, Italy, EuroScitizen WG3&5 member
L. Mecklenburg, PhD candidate, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
F. Miri, PhD, Researcher, University of Tirana, Albania, EuroScitizen
P. Pessoa, PhD student with an FCT grant, CIDTFF-University of Aveiro, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal, EuroScitizen WG2 Member
D. Radovčić, PhD, senior curator, Croatian Natural History Museum, Croatia, EuroScitizen WG3&5 member
G. Realdon, PhD, independent researcher, University of Camerino, Italy, EuroScitizen WG2 member
M. Siani, PhD, Weizmann Institute of Science;Herzog College, Israel
M. Varga, PhD, Associate Professor, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary; EuroScitizen WG4&5 member
Ö. Yahyaoğlu, PhD candidate, Akdeniz University, Turkey, EuroScitizen WG5 Member
I. Yruela, PhD, Research scientist at Estación Experimental de Aula Dei- CSIC, Spain; EuroScitizen WG1,4&5 Member