Cerini, Elizabeth
Description
Studies in many countries have examined the importance of role
models, mentors and graduate supervisors in science, and some
have explored the short-term impacts of science role modelling
programs on young people’s engagement with science careers. Yet
despite the prevalence of programs to identify, celebrate and
utilize ‘science heroes’, there is a lack of systematic or
significant research into the phenomenon of popular science
heroes and their careers, or...[Show more] indeed their capabilities in science
communication and engagement. Furthermore, the cultural drivers
for effective communication in science are not well described;
whilst numerous studies have suggested the presence of various
behavioural norms within scientific cultures, little
consideration has been made of communication norms and their
significance within the cultures of science. The problems of
influence by and on science heroes, the barriers and enablers of
their potential impact and their potentially significant role
within science cultures therefore form the basis for this
dissertation.
The thesis takes a broad view of science heroes as communicators
of influence, exploring the life histories of a subset of those
nominated as science heroes to identify influences on their
career pathways and life-long engagement with science, their
experiences of success and of communication and the significant
issues, ideas and outcomes that arise from those experiences.
In-depth interviews were conducted with 100 individuals in
Australia, the United Kingdom and North America, including 7 for
the purposes of communication context. The questions asked about
many aspects of participant life experiences, including early
interests and pathways in science, key motivators and influencers
including ‘inspirational others’, experiences of
communicating with others in a professional context, including
interactions with peers, public audiences and the media, and
individual communication attitudes and approaches.
Based on analysis of this data, the thesis identifies the
communication characteristics and attributes of science heroes
and explores the communication practices that contribute to their
relative success. Evidence is presented for the power of
narrative communication techniques and the use of heroic
archetypes in projecting stories of success. Evidence is also
presented for the presence of powerful norms and counter-norms in
science communication.
The study builds on and contributes to work exploring the nature
of influence in science career pathways, providing insight into
the influences of contemporary science heroes and significant
factors affecting science engagement and achievement.
Additionally, the thesis extends the concept of normative
practices and processes within science, making a case to include
communication norms and counter-norms in the understanding of
contemporary science.
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