Counter-Intuitive Science Communications Strategies to Reach Public Audiences
Date
29 August 2019
Time and Venues
Venues |
Local Time |
|
Adelaide Waite Campus – B101-FG-R00-BoardWICWest |
12:00 pm |
|
Armidale – B55-FG-R00-Small |
12:30 pm |
|
Bribie Island – B01-FG-Small |
12:30 pm |
|
Brisbane St Lucia QBP – Room 5.281 |
12:30 pm |
|
Canberra Black Mountain – Discovery Lecture Theatre |
12:30 pm |
|
Irymple (See Natalie Strickland) |
12:30 pm |
|
Narrabri – Conference Room |
12:30 pm |
|
Perth Floreat B40-F1-R46-Rossiter Room |
10:30 am |
|
Sandy Bay (Hobart) – B2 F1 R24 River View Room |
12:30 pm |
|
Toowoomba – Media Lab Room |
12:30 pm |
|
Townsville – Meeting Room 145-231 (see Liz Do) |
12:30 pm |
|
Werribee (Melbourne) – B02 FG RG53 |
12:30 pm |
Speaker
Kevin M. Folta, Professor Horticultural Sciences Department & Graduate Program in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Florida
Synopsis
The public loves farmers and scientists, so why do they not trust farming and science? The problem is a disconnect between those that raise and research food, and those that consume it. Scientists and farmers consistently fail to step into public discussions, and when we do we do it incorrectly, frequently conjuring more mistrust. This unfortunate reality leaves an open stage for disinformation, as many grab the public’s attention to further ideological movements or maximize profit. The effects are many, but come from hindered deployment of safe technologies that could help farmers, the food insecure and the environment. To correct this discrepancy scientists and farmers need to engage the public using a counter-intuitive strategy grounded on listening rather than lecturing, understanding that concerns are real even if not scientific, and then building trust by leading with our values and ethics. Scientists need to be agile in social media, as this is where the conversations are taking place. To ensure access to the best agricultural innovations scientists and farmers need to be meeting the public and communicating with them using a revised and effective strategy.
About the speaker
Kevin M. Folta is a professor in Horticultural Sciences, with active research in small fruit genomics, controlled environment agriculture, and novel small molecule discovery. He also has been recognized for his efforts in teaching scientists and ag professionals how to communicate topics in genetics and agricultural technology. He was recognized with the prestigious CAST Borlaug Award in Agricultural Communications in 2016 and hosts the weekly Talking Biotech Podcast.
Kevin’s visit to Australia is supported by CropLife Australia
*Catering will be provided by CropLife Australia.
This is a public seminar.
Open-access to The CSIRO Discovery Theatre @ Black Mountain