Dissemination practices in the Spanish research system: scientists trapped in a golden cage

Abstract

The aim of this paper is twofold. On the one hand, it offers a systematic analysis of the data available regarding Spanish scientists' dissemination activities; on the other, it seeks to shed light on their behaviour and motivations. To do this, we consider the context of Spanish society and the conditions affecting the work and professional promotion of scientists. We present evidence from two surveys of CSIC researchers and of participants in Spain's main science fair, with the caveat that the data were obtained in a methodologically favourable scenario. A contrast exists between scientists' vocation to disseminate and the limitations derived from a low degree of interest in science in Spanish society, together with professional promotion policies that do not give priority to dissemination activities. This leads us to conclude that Spanish scientists are trapped between dissemination activities governed by moral values and a scarcely favourable social and professional context.

Scientists, the Media, and the Public Communication of Science

“…al. ; DiBella et al ; Dunwoody and Ryan ; Dunwoody and Scott ; Jensen et al ; Kreimer, et al ; Pearson, ; Pearson et al ; Royal Society ; Torres‐Albero et al ; Wilkes and Kravitz ). One multi‐national survey, for example, found that 30 percent of the scientist respondents said they had been engaged in more than five media contacts in the past 3 years while an additional 39 percent reported having one to five media contacts (Peters et al 2008).…”

The reflexive scientist: an approach to transforming public engagement

“…4 There is also an emerging literature that explores scientists and public engagement, through examination of a range of factors such as demographics, seniority, academic achievement, discipline, and personal motivations and attitudes 5 (e.g. Poliakoff and Webb 2007;Jensen et al 2008;Dunwoody et al 2009;Besley and Nisbet 2013;Besley et al 2012;Jensen 2011;Kreimer et al 2011;Wilkinson et al 2011;Torres-Albero et al 2011;Crettaz von Roten 2011). Across all these fields, however, there is a tendency to treat Bscience^in an undifferentiated way, for example, not distinguishing among the different institutional and political contexts in which scientists work and communicate with the public.…”

Actitudes hacia la divulgación de la ciencia en la investigación académica

“…Finalmente, es importante señalar que las entrevistas en calidad de expertos-expertas a medios periodísticos y las conferencias públicas fueron las principales actividades de divulgación que el personal académico reportó realizar. Ambos resultados coinciden con los hallazgos de investigaciones anteriores (Torres et al, 2011;Peters, 2008;Agnella et al;, las cuales evidencian la predilección del personal investigador por actividades orales de divulgación que involucren el contacto cara a cara. Asimismo, este dato deja entrever cómo el personal científico-académico es fuente primaria de información para el personal periodístico, particularidad que le ubica en un rol preferencial en la promoción de la cultura científica.…”