Public understanding of Nuclear Energy: Challenges and Strategies of Science Communication in India

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1and2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nimish Kapoor ◽  
Abhinav Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Science Communication ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Nuclear Radiation ◽  
Energy Needs ◽  
The Media

Energy is the backbone for sustainable development. Any nation cannot progress without adequate resources of energy i.e. must have energy security. In various sources of generating power, i.e. nuclear, coal, hydro, geothermal, wind, solar, crude oil and biomass etc., nuclear is one of the source of energy which is less understood source of energy among our masses. Many misconceptions and rumours are associated with the nuclear energy like nuclear energy fosters nuclear weapons, nuclear radiation is deadly and nuclear reactors are not safe for human being and environment etc. This technological awareness gap of understanding Nuclear Power is the most challenging area for science and technology communication in India today. India faces formidable challenges in meeting its energy needs and providing adequate energy of desired quality to consumers in a sustainable manner at a reasonable cost. Nuclear power can play a bigger role offering sustainable solution to global energy problems. Those working in nuclear technology field face increasing scrutiny from public, the media, political authorities and NGO’s. This paper deals with the need of science and technology communication on nuclear energy for better understanding on the issue and a communication strategy adopted by Vigyan Prasar under ‘Public Awareness Campaign on Nuclear Energy’ as an important way in which a nation can stave off from the misconceptions, fear and uninformed societies.

scholarly journals Studying behaviours and attitudes towards science and technology

Impact ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (4) ◽  
pp. 27-29
Author(s):  
Naoko Kato-Nitta
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Capital ◽  
Social Stratification ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Data Science ◽  
Social Scientist ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Communication Model ◽  
Statistical Mathematics ◽  
Understanding Of Science

What makes research important is an important philosophical question that is a consideration for many researchers. Further important considerations are the public's perception of science and how an individual's perception of science and technology is shaped. These are some of the complex ideas that social scientist Dr Naoko Kato-Nitta, Department of Statistical Data Science, Institute of Statistical Mathematics, Japan, is exploring. She is working on a series of projects related to public perceptions and attitudes towards different scientific disciplines and fields. She hopes that answering such important questions will facilitate the creation of a science communication model for the public understanding of science. Kato-Nitta's research focuses on human behaviour and psychology and how it relates to issues at the interface of technology and society. A key question that she is seeking to answer from the standpoint of cultural capital is how the extent of the general public's participation in science communication can be determined. In the first research to connect social stratification theory and science communication research, Kato-Nitta divided the concept of Bourdieu's cultural capital into two sub-concepts: scientific and technical cultural capital and literary and artistic cultural capital. She went on to consider how these two types of cultural capital affect the exhibit-viewing behaviours of the general public.

scholarly journals How to take non-knowledge seriously, or “the unexpected virtue of ignorance”

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 385-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristian H. Nielsen ◽  
Mads P. Sørensen
Keyword(s):  
Science Communication ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Public Understanding Of Science ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Democratic Deliberation ◽  
Understanding Of Science

This commentary argues that we need to take ignorance and non-knowledge seriously in the fields of science communication and public understanding of science. As much as we want ignorance to disappear, it seems that it is here to stay—in the sciences and in the rest of society. Drawing on the vast but scattered literature on ignorance and non-knowledge, we suggest that paying closer attention to these phenomena could be beneficial for science communicators. Despite the fact that ignorance and non-knowledge, just like knowledge, today are highly politicized fields, they may also open up for new lines of inquiry and may be key to more pluralistic and equal democratic deliberation about science and technology.

Exploring a model nuclear planning and response program: Evaluating public awareness of written risk and emergency

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 541-559
Author(s):  
Ekong J. Peters, PhD ◽  
Caroline S. Hackerott, PhD ◽  
Weijia Jia, PhD
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
Space Shuttle ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Nuclear Facilities ◽  
Aircraft Carrier ◽  
Engineering Team

High-reliability organizations (HROs) including commercial airlines, the NASA Space Shuttle engineering team, US Naval aircraft carrier and nuclear submarine crews, and US nuclear power plants are relatively safe. However, these organizations experience system breakdowns often with catastrophic outcomes. This study focuses on risk information management strategies employed by a nuclear energy power plant located within 10 miles of a population center. The evacuation planning zone (EPZ) includes a hospital, several schools, and a public university. The nuclear plant provides written preparedness and evacuation information for all residents within the EPZ in the event of a radiological emergency. Focusing on the campus community within the EPZ, this study investigates individual awareness regarding the potential of a radiological event, the emergency information booklet, and the information provided within the booklet. We use descriptive statistics, frequency distribution, and cross tabulations (contingency tables) to establish awareness levels. Our study determines those participants who read the emergency instructions booklet are prepared to make an informed decision in the event of a radiological incident. We find college affiliation, educational level, university role, and age significantly related to emergency instruction booklet utilization. We also find gender is significantly linked to overall risk perception regarding a radiological event. Findings support previous research regarding women’s higher levels of risk aversion and pessimism involving dangerous new risky technologies and activities like nuclear energy plants. These findings support modifying policy to ensure nuclear facilities assess the efficacy of their warning systems in alerting the public. Furthermore, our findings provide guidance regarding the evaluation of the effectiveness of emergency instruction booklet distribution.

Science communication skills for water coverage. Case study: IHE-SciDev training.

2021 ◽  
pp. 43-48
Author(s):  
Charles Wendo
Keyword(s):  
Communication Skills ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Online Course ◽  
River Nile ◽  
Nile Basin ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Water Cooperation ◽  
The Media

Abstract In May 2017, a workshop was held in Cairo, Egypt, to explore ways in which researchers doing research on topics related to the Nile Basin can work with journalists, aiming for better communication of science through media. The workshop hosted 40 participants, including communication specialists, scientists, academics, policy makers and NGOs' representatives from Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan and international organizations. The workshop concluded that researchers and journalists needed more training in communicating and reporting science. In this respect, IHE Delft Institute partnered with SciDev.Net to develop and run an online course, 'Science Communication Skills for Water Cooperation and Diplomacy', which is described in this chapter. The main objective of the online course that took place between October 2018 and March 2019 was to build the capacity of scientists to engage with the media and effectively communicate science, and to deal with the River Nile as a vehicle of cooperation and development rather than conflict. Overall, the course had largely met the desired objectives. Most respondents greatly appreciated practical exercises, especially those on writing a press release and designing a communication strategy. The training platform was accessible and easy to use for most participants. However, there were areas that did not work as expected, most notably the length of the course.

scholarly journals How messages about behavioral genetics research can impact on genetic attribution beliefs

F1000Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 2744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Morin-Chassé
Keyword(s):  
Science Communication ◽  
Human Genetics ◽  
Behavioral Genetics ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
The Public ◽  
Genetics Research ◽  
Social Traits ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Media ◽  
Understanding Of Science

Science communication has the potential to reshape public understanding of science. Yet, some research findings are more difficult to explain and more likely to be misunderstood. The contribution of this paper is threefold. It opens with a review of fascinating interdisciplinary literature on how scientific research about human genetics is disseminated in the media, and how this type of information could influence public beliefs and world views. It then presents the theoretical framework for my research program, providing a logical basis for how messages about human genetics may influence people's beliefs about the role of genes in causing human traits. Based on this reasoning, I formulate the genetic interpolation hypothesis, which predicts that messages about specific research findings in behavioral genetics can lead members of the public to infer greater genetic causation for other social traits not mentioned in the content of the message. While this framework offers clear, testable predictions, some questions remain unaddressed. For instance, what kind of message formats are persuasive enough to alter people's views? The third contribution of this paper is to begin to address this question empirically. I present the results of a survey experiment that was designed to test whether a simple, short paragraph about behavioral genetics is a powerful enough stimulus to cause the genetic interpolation effect.

scholarly journals Strategic Thinking in Resource Diversification: Assessing the Value of Nuclear Energy in Turkey

2020 ◽  
pp. 28-38
Author(s):  
Nurettin Altundeğer
Keyword(s):  
Energy Security ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Needs ◽  
Foreign Countries ◽  
National Production ◽  
Phase Out ◽  
Energy Dependent

Turkey is an energy dependent country with more than 75 percent of its energy being imported from foreign countries. The level of dependency is increasing every year because of the rising energy needs and the lack of national production. Among all forms of energy, increase in demand for electricity is the highest. At a time that some countries are announcing their decision to phase out nuclear power plants (NPPs) in favor of renewable energy sources, Turkey appears to be determined to proceed with its decision to acquire nuclear technology despite safety concerns. A country that has seen domestic opposition towards nuclear energy has already made significant progress towards acquiring one. This article uses a policy analysis framework to assess the value of nuclear energy in Turkey from an energy security perspective. It argues that energy security for Turkey can be dealt with thoroughly when the problem of resource diversification is addressed from a comprehensive perspective. Pros and cons of having NPPs in Turkey will be analyzed through energy security parameters vis-a-vis the urgent need for resource diversification.

Developing a Sociological Model to Improve Public Understanding of Science among Citizens (Case Study: Isfahan City)

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Zahra Maher ◽  
Ali Rabbani Khorasgani
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Mass Media ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Public Understanding Of Science ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Media ◽  
Understanding Of Science

<p>In recent years, along with attributing more importance to the knowledge and information, the presence of the  knowledgeable and well-informed manpower has gained significance and the existing level of knowledge and information among the common people of society has been considered as one of the preconditions and essential elements  of the development in that country. One of the important issues confronting the sociologists who analyze the sciences is how to present sciences in the mass <strong>media</strong>. Besides, today, communication in many different fields is held within the exclusive control of the <strong>mass media</strong> and these media are the only source of information for most of the people.The present study, therefore, aims to explain the quality of "public understanding of science and technology" among the Isfahanian people and to produce the required data for the evaluation of general knowledge of and attitude toward science and technology. In particular, this study deals with the mechanisms applied by <strong>mass media</strong> to enhance the public understanding of science and technology.</p><p>As to research methodology, the present study follows the purpose of obtaining the quantitative statistical results from one sample. a systematic interview in the form of a questionnaire with closed-end items was used for collecting the required data. The research population for this study is the residents (aged between 15 to 79 years) of the 15 regions of Isfahan city of whom the number is 1564553, based on the public census in 2014. As for determining the sample size, Cochrane equation was used and 630 participants were chosen for the interview using a quota sampling. The main hypothesis of the quantitative phase was made based on the structural equation modeling to examine the "mechanism of media contribution to the enhancement of public understanding of science among citizens". This hypothesis was tested using Amos software.</p><p>The results of this study are as follows:    </p><p>In the formulated Structural Equation Modeling, it was observed that the media increase the communicative competence of their addressees through translation and simplification of the scientific notions. Such an increase in the "addressees' competence in communicating with science", in turn, increases "their participation rate in the science and technology programs" and ultimately, enhances the public understanding of science and technology.  Media played also some part in "representing the cultural and intellectual bio-life prevailing in society" and reflecting the dominant intellectual atmosphere of society. On the other hand, results showed that the media which are the mediator agents within the network, could reinforce the features of the sciences supportive culture through the representation of cultural and intellectual atmosphere prevailing in society and this was another factor which had a mediator role in the contribution of media on the enhancement of public understanding of science. <strong></strong></p>

Risk Reporting in the Chinese News Media in Response to Radiation Threat From the Fukushima Nuclear Reactor Crisis

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Wang
Keyword(s):  
News Media ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Nuclear Reactor ◽  
Nuclear Radiation ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Media Report ◽  
News Reports ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Government ◽  
Risk Reporting

On March 11, 2011, the northeastern coast of Japan was struck by 9.0-magnitude earthquake that triggered a devastating tsunami. Aside from the huge toll in people’s lives and severe damages to property, the tremor sent the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant on a tailspin, causing hydrogen explosions in three reactors, and sending radioactive materials into the air and bodies of water. Declared the largest nuclear disaster since Chernobyl, the crisis threatened neighboring countries, including China (International Business Times, 2011). On March 28, low levels of iodine-131, cesium-137 and strontium, believed to have drifted from Japan, were detected in the air over Heilongjiang province in the northeast part of China and in seawater samples collected in the eastern coastal areas (Qianjiang Eve News, 2011). Because these chemicals can enter the food chain and adversely affect human health (Ifeng.com, 2011), people became understandably anxious and the government had to avert panic. This study asks: How did the Chinese media report the risks attendant to this event? A content analysis of 45 straight news reports published by the Chinese press from March 16, 2011 to April 25, 2011 was conducted. The analysis focused on how the media explained the risk, portrayed potential harm, reported on government actions to safeguard public health, and provided suggestions to reduce public fear. The sources of information cited in the reports were also identified. The articles examined were collected from People.com, a comprehensive online archive of news reports, using “Fukushima” and “nuclear radiation” as search terms. The results indicated journalistic practices that left much to be desired in terms of risk reporting. First, the articles explained little about the technical aspects of the radiation leaks and failed to give audiences a general indication of levels of risk. Second, the media over-emphasized the government’s position that the environment was safe despite the more rampant word-of-mouth reports to the contrary, a slant that may have done nothing to allay public fear. Third, there was a dearth of information about what the government intends to do to alleviate the situation and suggestions about what people can do to protect themselves. The themes of news reports may be attributed to experts from research institutions and government officials who were the most frequently cited sources of facts, analyses, interpretations, and opinions. Scientists and nuclear experts were cited the most in the news reports.

scholarly journals Nuclear Power Risk Perception in Serbia: Fear of Exposure to Radiation vs. Social Benefits

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 2464
Author(s):  
Vladimir M. Cvetković ◽  
Adem Öcal ◽  
Yuliya Lyamzina ◽  
Eric K. Noji ◽  
Neda Nikolić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Square ◽  
Power Stations ◽  
Energy Needs ◽  
The World

Nuclear power remains one of the most accessible choices in addressing environmental and social concerns due to the continuously increasing energy needs around the world. While it remains an excellent source of energy due to its low price and low level of emissions, potential accidents remain a serious problem. An example of such is the most recent accident in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (2011), which reminded the world of the potential risks of nuclear energy and the consequences of which continue to have a lasting effect. There is no nuclear power plant in Serbia, but there are about 15 nuclear power stations scattered within its neighboring countries. Therefore, the Serbian Government decided to study how the Serbian public perceives the risks related to the potential construction of nuclear power stations in the country, nuclear energy in general, and its possible benefits and risks. The objective of this paper is to present the results of this assessment along with a literature overview on the (environmental) risk of nuclear power. A pilot study consisted of a series of 270 randomized face-to-face interviews that took place in the public square of Belgrade in March 2019. Logistic regression was used to examine the cumulative effects of the different risk factors. The results showed that the majority of the respondents are skeptical and do not support the construction of nuclear power stations in Serbia. Furthermore, this research identified several additional important correlations that have a significant impact on the public perception of risk.

Nuclear fission: the interplay of science and technology

2010 ◽  
Vol 368 (1923) ◽  
pp. 3295-3313 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Stoneham
Keyword(s):  
Basic Science ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
Applied Research ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Nuclear Fission ◽  
Power Station ◽  
Crucial Component ◽  
Basic And Applied Research ◽  
Fission Reactors

When the UK’s Calder Hall nuclear power station was connected to the grid in 1956, the programmes that made this possible involved a powerful combination of basic and applied research. Both the science and the engineering were novel, addressing new and challenging problems. That the last Calder Hall reactor was shut down only in 2003 attests to the success of the work. The strengths of bringing basic science to bear on applications continued to be recognized until the 1980s, when government and management fashions changed. This paper identifies a few of the technology challenges, and shows how novel basic science emerged from them and proved essential in their resolution. Today, as the threat of climate change becomes accepted, it has become clear that there is no credible solution without nuclear energy. The design and construction of new fission reactors will need continuing innovation, with the interplay between the science and technology being a crucial component.

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