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First steps taken for introducing science advocacy into the curriculum at the University of South Florida: teaching tomorrow's researchers how to translate science for the public and policymakers
Author(s) -
Dean Jay B.,
Liller Karen D.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.719.10
Subject(s) - public relations , curriculum , political science , alliance , science communication , state (computer science) , work (physics) , science education , sociology , pedagogy , engineering , mechanical engineering , algorithm , computer science , law
Health‐related researchers must be more proactive in promoting science literacy in community groups, to business leaders and politicians. These groups are the conduits for change that influence and implement public policy in the face of competing federal/state budget priorities. If researchers cannot frame their work with messages that are understandable to the public, then policy decisions may be uninformed and we will all live with the consequences. USF has taken first steps towards integrating science advocacy into the curriculum by partnering with Research!America and Pfizer to host a science advocacy workshop and a science and media forum ( Let Me Be Clear: Science Journalism in the Age of the Genome and Twitter ). Research!America is the nation's largest nonprofit public education and advocacy alliance working to make research to improve health a higher national priority. The science advocacy workshop introduced participants to strategies and tactics for effectively communicating with state/federal policy makers. The science and media forum was staffed with journalists from the local/national media who held discussions about the media, health research, science, and public understanding, followed by Q&A sessions. Knowledge and techniques learned through this event will be used to develop didactic and experiential experiences focused in science advocacy for students (USF, Pfizer & Research!America).