CPT-34306 Life Sciences for Communication Scientists

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Individual Paper
Lectures24
Literature study
Tutorial6
Course coordinator(s)dr. ir. A van Paassen
Lecturer(s)dr. ir. A van Paassen
dr. H van den Belt
dr. ir. LA Afman
prof. dr. ir. MH Zwietering
dr. ir. GWJ van de Ven
prof. dr. ir. MK van Ittersum
prof. dr. R Leemans
and others
Examiner(s)dr. ir. A van Paassen

Language of instruction:

Dutch and/or English

Assumed knowledge on:

CPT-12306 Introduction to Strategic Communication or CPT-23804 Introduction to Communication and Innovation Studies.

Contents:

In their professional life, Wageningen communication scientists often work as communication experts in the life sciences domain. In this quality, they support life scientists to communicate and collaborate effectively with policy makers, professionals, stakeholders and citizens tackling societal problems in the domain of health, agricultural development, climate change etc. Life sciences such as nutrigenomics, ecology and agricultural production etc. are closely linked to people's life world, but they often approach issues differently than societal actors. To build bridges between life scientists and societal actors, communication experts need to understand the epistemology of the life scientists vis-à-vis policy makers and lay people, as well as their (often tacit) perception of each other's knowledge. Effective science communication requires knowledge in the subject domain, the perspectives and concerns of the audiences, their info seeking,- processing and interaction in various (media) contexts. Effective cross-boundary collaboration for policy-making and societal action goes one step further: apart from effective science communication, it also requires understanding of political power and negotiation dynamics, as well as the willingness plus the capacity to participate in these negotiations via delicate knowledge integration, brokerage and/or facilitation. To support these activities, the course 'Life Science Research and Communication' couples 'knowledge of life sciences' with 'knowledge of communication and policy advice'. Students acquire knowledge in the subject, epistemology of various life science domains, and subsequently reflect on concrete cases of cross-boundary communication and collaboration of life scientists. They learn how to appraise and /or design communicative interventions for a life science issue in a specific policy- and/ or media context, and how to deal with others challenges life scientists are confronted with such as ethical issues, allegations of scientific credibility etc.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able:
- to reproduce basic knowledge of the research domain, applied data collection and analysis methods of various life sciences;
- to describe and apply different kinds of ethical reasoning concerning life science research and science communication;
- to analyse the dynamics of knowledge sharing and debate within the life science community, in policy advice committees, science and non-scientific blogs and the mass media, and the effects this has on the public opinion;
- to explain what is needed to effectively inform policy makers and the wider public of the ongoing scientific debate and new research insights.
Life-science-supported societal learning and action;
- to explain, recognize and appraise different types of problem frames, and related analysis and decision-making strategies, methods and tools within the life science domain;
- to contribute to science-informed integrated assessments and policy deliberations via (a) the design of preliminary stakeholder analyses (knowledge, concern/interest, influence and information-needs) (b) the appraisal and choice of appropriate knowledge integration methods and tools, and (c) the design of science-supported learning and deliberation processes;
- to appraise and/or design effective, ethically-sound life science communication strategies to engage people for healthier and/or environmental sustainable life styles.

Activities:

- lectures by various life scientists on their research focus, -methodologies, and new insights gained. At the end of these lectures we discuss the relevance of the life science for society, the form and impact of past life science communication and policy-advice efforts;
- problem oriented lectures on the ethics of research and science communication; how to support life scientists in the design and use of societal relevant problem analysis en learning tools to support policy deliberations; How to translate complex scientific debates in clear understandable information for policy makers and the wider public, and how to engage them for action?

Examination:

For optimal learning, students are strongly advised to attend each of the course meetings.
Students will be evaluated on the basis of individual assignments (50%) and a written exam (50%).
Each component needs a minimum mark of 5.5 to pass.

Literature:

A course outline and reader will be available on MyPortal.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Compulsory for: MCHCommunication, Health and Life SciencesMScA: Strategic Communication in Innovation5MO