Science and Public PolicyScience and Public Policy
Dr. Karen E. DillLenoir-Rhyne College
North Carolina, United States
Dr. Karen E. DillLenoir-Rhyne College
North Carolina, United States
How do science and politics interact?
How do science and politics interact?
Do scientists have a social responsibility to policy makers?Do politicians suggest scientific
Do scientists have a social responsibility to policy makers?Do politicians suggest scientificDo politicians suggest scientific agendas that are appropriate?Do politicians suggest scientific agendas that are appropriate?
A Social
Public
Business
Issue
Scientists/Experts
Politicians
Event Attracts AttentionEvent Attracts Attention
Radio personality Don Imus makes racial slur about R t U i it
Radio personality Don Imus makes racial slur about R t U i itRutgers University TeamPublic outcry; his advertisers respond to public; he is fired
Rutgers University TeamPublic outcry; his advertisers respond to public; he is fired
Public DialoguePublic Dialogue
Argument: Behavior should be tolerated because Black rap
i t i
Argument: Behavior should be tolerated because Black rap
i t imusic contains sexist and racist language
music contains sexist and racist language
From Imus to Industry: The Business of Stereotypes and Degrading Images
From Imus to Industry: The Business of Stereotypes and Degrading Images
US House subcommittee on commerce, trade
d
US House subcommittee on commerce, trade
dand consumer protectionCongressman Rush (Illinois) calls hearing
and consumer protectionCongressman Rush (Illinois) calls hearing
Congressional HearingCongressional Hearing
Panel 1 - CEOs from Universal, Viacom, Warner, Radio1, Take II Interactive
Panel 1 - CEOs from Universal, Viacom, Warner, Radio1, Take II InteractivePanel 2- Rap music starsPanel 3 - Academics and AdvocatesCongresspersons, Public
Panel 2- Rap music starsPanel 3 - Academics and AdvocatesCongresspersons, Public
Sending MessagesSending Messages
Musicians/CEOs-Free SpeechCongress (Public) -
Musicians/CEOs-Free SpeechCongress (Public) -Lyrics problematic. Can you do better?Academics/Advocates-Damaging Effects, call for Governmental Help
Lyrics problematic. Can you do better?Academics/Advocates-Damaging Effects, call for Governmental Help
Stereotypes
Public
Business
ypViolence
Scientists/Experts
Politicians
Issues of PerspectiveIssues of PerspectivePublic understanding of research
Motivated to disbelieve behavior is damagingMedia Psychology-Believe serious damage doesn’t come from trivial causesDifficulty interpreting scientific concepts (like
Public understanding of researchMotivated to disbelieve behavior is damagingMedia Psychology-Believe serious damage doesn’t come from trivial causesDifficulty interpreting scientific concepts (likeDifficulty interpreting scientific concepts (like cause)
Governmental understanding of researchTreat research findings like poll dataDifficulty interpreting scientific concepts (like cause and effect)
Business-Financial influenceMotivated by own financial interest
Difficulty interpreting scientific concepts (like cause)
Governmental understanding of researchTreat research findings like poll dataDifficulty interpreting scientific concepts (like cause and effect)
Business-Financial influenceMotivated by own financial interest
IssuesIssues
Public outcry drives interest in issue
Events->Media Attention
Politicians
Public outcry drives interest in issue
Events->Media Attention
PoliticiansPoliticiansDuty to ServeGet Elected$ Business
AcademicsAdvocacyResearch Support
PoliticiansDuty to ServeGet Elected$ Business
AcademicsAdvocacyResearch Support
ConclusionsConclusions
Common IssuesDifferent PerspectivesGood communication is critical
Common IssuesDifferent PerspectivesGood communication is critical
Issue: Academics not trained as advocatesInterest from public, government, business, and experts
Different agendas, but commonalitiesMedia play a role
Issue: Academics not trained as advocatesInterest from public, government, business, and experts
Different agendas, but commonalitiesMedia play a role