Michel Claessens shares insights from a PCST science communication conference in Suzhou, China

Fanuel Muindi interviews Dr. Michel Claessens to expand on his reflections from attending the 2024 PCST symposium in Suzhou, China, titled “Communicating Science Across Cultures: Approaches, Perspectives, and Challenges.”

Claessens shares insights into the conference’s unique mix of scholars, practitioners, and policymakers, emphasizing the role of science communication in bridging cultural and disciplinary divides. “China is the only country in the world with a law on science popularization,” Claessens notes, highlighting its prioritization of science communication alongside technological innovation. The conversation also delves into the challenges of communicating scientific uncertainty and the pressures faced by communicators in big science projects.

Reflecting on the conference’s success, Claessens underscores the importance of including young participants and fostering collaboration: “It’s half the connecting activities and half the real content that make these events so impactful.”

Related Links

Michel Claessens JCOM Paper

Conference Link

PCST Network

Chapters

0:00 CivicSciTV Intro

0:16 QOTD Intro

0:36 Previously on QOTD

1:31 PCST Overview

3:02 Science Popularization

5:27 Conference Participants

6:36 Cultural Differences

8:29 Communicating Uncertainty

11:25 China’s Priorities

13:08 Big Science Pressures

16:47 Engaging Students

17:41 Scholars vs Practitioners

19:17 Building Networks

20:39 Accessibility Challenges

22:08 Public Engagement Goals

How to cite the conversation: Claessens, M., & Muindi, FJ. Communicating science across different cultures — a reflection on the PCST Suzhou Symposium 2024. (Video) Civic Science Television. Dec 15, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWimrO9OwgM

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