Science
in society
The misrepresentation of scientific researchers is possibly the largest issue in preventing research and science from being accepted in to the general population. In many media formats, scientists are portrayed as “men in white coats” and “mad scientists” that are void of morals and rationality, experimenting in an unnatural way, just for the sake of experimenting. This perpetuates a fear in society of science and insinuates that scientists are corrupt and limitless in what they would attempt to create. For example, a “scientific experiment gone wrong” or biological weaponry is usually the epicentre for the plot for many sci-fi films, which is a massively successful market and is a genre watched by many. This consistent characterisation of science in many genres of films both attenuates and represents the fears of the capability of scientific research. However, Professor Jenny Kitzinger’s research highlights how this may merely be an alibi, and the representation of scientists in society originates from a failure to address and appreciate the fears of society concerning research like GM crops.
There is
very little representation of science outside the scientific community itself.
Mark Henderson discussed in his book, The Geek Manifesto: Why Science is
important, how the number of politicians from a scientific background is almost
negligible, and that many politicians lack even basic scientific knowledge. This
idea is aided by Carl Sagan who believes that science isn't just a form of
experimental practice, “science is a way of thinking”. Thus, if polities were
taught to address political issues by utilising a form of the classical
scientific method, attempting to remove all bias and ensuring that policies
were effective.
But
arguably, science should have limits and society shouldn't treat science as a
religion (Scientism) as even if science were to be more approachable and
accepted in general society, it is not possible that everyone would agree with
it. For science to engage society, it is a question of communication. In the
past, it appears that scientists are poor communicators, in terms of neglecting
to share information, the research being inaccessible or being perceived in a
patronising manner by society. For example, Professor Kitzinger discusses the “hierarchy
of knowledge” issues of medical professionals and researchers ignoring the
input of family members in persistent vegetative state and minimally conscious
state patients. 40% of consciousness disorders are misdiagnosed, and recent
research has suggested that fMRI could be used to determine the difference
between these two states. However, Kitzinger observed how family members of
these patients already had an idea of the diagnosis, due to reports of
intermittent consciousness, but were ignored.
This then became bitter sweet when they were confirmed by the later fMRI. Thus it is important for scientists to not appear patronising or self-important when talking to the general public, to ensure that the portrayal of scientists is positive.
This then became bitter sweet when they were confirmed by the later fMRI. Thus it is important for scientists to not appear patronising or self-important when talking to the general public, to ensure that the portrayal of scientists is positive.
Professor
Sir David King developed principles of building a community in science and in
society. By ensuring honest portrayal of results, preventing corrupt practice,
respecting other scientists work, decreasing the impact of science on the
environment and discussing issues with research with the public, this allows
the general public to feel involved in scientific research and less threatened
by it.
However, there are large parts of society that science is either isolating or isn't being targeted to towards, polarizing communities.
Women in
Science
Often, the discussion of the representation of women in any industry triggers uncomfortable feelings, but it is a topic that requires attention. In all industries women are paid less, but in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields, women make up a very small proportion of employees. Not only this, but the achievements of women are not being recognised in the same proportion as the achievements of male scientists. For example, only 2.9% of Nobel prizes are awarded to women. This in a community that prides itself on researching and improving the future is a fairly scary statistic.
It is
possible that science is targeted towards men and this prevents women from
making science their career of choice, this would certainly explain the lower
number of women in the field. This idea is supported by schools favouring
scientific studies towards male pupils, and by scientific magazines being
categorized into the men’s section.
In an
attempt to attract young girls into science as a career, the European Union
released a public service announcement entitled “Science: it’s a girl thing”.
It featured women in high heels and provocative clothing attracting the
attention of an attractive male scientist. The advert also featured the women
writing out scientific formulae in lipstick, interspersed with images of makeup
and the fashionable models of the commercial. This, to be blunt, was the most
sexist portrayal of women in science that I have ever seen; worsened by the
fact that it was attempting to attract women into science and trying to defy
the stereotype of science as being a male orientated industry. This did not
assist in increasing the number of women in the STEM fields.
However, the
male dominated aspect of science doesn't explain the attitudes towards women
that are present in the industry. Almost every industry will contain forms of
institutional sexism, but there are many examples of sexism in science that
isolate women in the career.
There are
many examples where women were not supported (and in some cases were even
fired) after reports of sexual harassment in scientific research facilities.
This in no way encourages women to enter into a scientific career. Furthermore,
cases like the one of Professor Jocelyn Bell supports the idea that male
scientists view the work of female scientists as inferior. Professor Jocelyn
Bell discovered the Pulsar, despite this, her thesis advisor had his name put
first on the publication of the research, gave talks about the research and was
awarded the Nobel Prize for the work.
Ben Barres
is a case that proves the presence of institutional sexism in science which
prevents and impairs women in the industry. Ben Barres is a transgender male,
who had gender reassignment surgery at the age of 42. After he became
physically male, the attitudes towards his scientific research changed
dramatically. He reports that before his sex change, he would use his initials
rather than his full name to gain more respect from male peers. He also
reported being told that “[his] work was much better than his sisters”. This
unique case confirms the issues of sexism in science which ultimately divides
the community and discourages women from entering the career.
Take home
messages
Science is a wonderful and interesting, but it is far from perfect. As a community, science fails to address the concerns society has with research and often appears patronizing to the public. Furthermore, it is soggy with institutional sexism and science cannot progress or hold the moral and intellectual high-ground when it doesn't improve these factors.
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