This timely and accessible text shows how portrayals of science in popular media—including television, movies, and social media—influence public attitudes around messages from the scientific community, affect the kinds of research that receive support, and inform perceptions of who can become a scientist. The book builds on theories of cultivation, priming, framing, and media models while drawing on years of content analyses, national surveys, and experiments. A wide variety of media genres—from Hollywood blockbusters and prime-time television shows to cable news channels and satirical comedy programs, science documentaries and children’s cartoons to Facebook posts and YouTube videos—are explored with rigorous social science research and an engaging, accessible style. Case studies on climate change, vaccines, genetically modified foods, evolution, space exploration, and forensic DNA testing are presented alongside reflections on media stereotypes and disparities in terms of gender, race, and other social identities. Science in the Media illuminates how scientists and media producers can bridge gaps between the scientific community and the public, foster engagement with science, and promote an inclusive vision of science, while also highlighting how readers themselves can become more active and critical consumers of media messages about science. Science in the Media serves as a supplemental text for courses in science communication and media studies, and will be of interest to anyone concerned with publicly engaged science.

Of great utility for every scientist faced with publicizing their discoveries via the media, this book addresses questions of responsibility for the balance and accuracy of scientific reporting, and attempts to be a guide for the scientist in their quest to inform the general public about their research in honest, truthful, and still interesting ways. Case studies by leading scholars in the fields of bioethics (pharmaceutical research (Declan Doogan, Senior VP Pfizer), medical journal editing (Jerome Kassirer, former editor of NEJM), science journalism, philosophy of science, history of medicine (John Warner, chair history of medicine Yale), public health (Ruth Katz, Dean public health, George Washington University), and philosophy of religion (Reverend Wesley Carr, former Dean of Westminster) illustrate positions and points of view and offer unique perspectives on the complex dance between science and the media. - Provides a compelling overview and analysis of the difficulties of dealing with mass media and collects tips and solutions. - Includes case studies from the experience of a number of high-profile contributors from different fields - Provides an easy-to-read, carefully selected and synthesized overview well suited to teaching and as further reading source in respective classes - Includes a famous movie from Jose Delgado that shows his attempts in the 60s to demonstrate "remote control" of a bull

The publication and distribution of scientific results is of major importance for the functioning of an information society and the tackling of the complex challenges the world faces today. It is not only scholars who rely on scientific publications to advance research but also the general public which demands scientific knowledge for its forthcoming. Major suppliers of scientific knowledge are the researchers themselves, science communicators and science journalists - each of which choose their very own approaches to selection, presentation and communication of science, often depending on the target group. Although different in their goals and approaches, digital media in particular has led to great overlaps which result in interwoven relationships equally affecting both external and internal forms of science communication. This edited book describes, quantifies and critically discusses the interplay between publisher- and journalism-driven science communication and its effect on the scholarly communication system, especially on the measures of impact evaluation. It is of major interest to researchers from science of science, bibliometrics, science communication, and journalism studies.

We have all, at some point, seen science in action on television. Whether it was a show about disasters or weather, nature or the universe, a science commentator, even a crime show depicting forensic evidence — we have all gleaned tidbits of scientific information while being entertained by our televisions. Or have we? From science channels and documentaries to fictional and children’s programming, television brings a myriad of scientific discoveries and theories into the homes of people around the world. But how accurately do these programs represent science? In Media Mediocrity, television producer and broadcaster Richard Zurawski argues that the science we learn on television is inaccurate, misleading and sometimes even dangerous. Dealing with issues such as tobacco consumption, global warming and Intelligent Design — and a host of pseudoscientific pursuits like UFOs, ghosts and the afterlife, Media Mediocrity examines how television producers’ pursuit of ratings and profit trump any desire to provide the audience with an accurate knowledge of science — and argues that there are real consequences for this lack of knowledge. Four out of five viewers gather the bulk of their scientific knowledge from television, making television an important intermediary between society and its understanding of science. If television gives us misleading — or blatantly false — scientific information, how can we hope to make informed decisions about scientific issues? Equally importantly, who is it that is feeding us this false science? And what do they gain from doing so? If you think your TV has made you an expert, then read this book — and think again.

"This timely and innovative book encourages us to ‘flip the classroom’ and empower our students to become content creators. Through creating digital media, they will not only improve their communication skills, but also gain a deeper understanding of core scientific concepts. This book will inspire science academics and science teacher educators to design learning experiences that allow students to take control of their own learning, to generate media that will stimulate them to engage with, learn about, and become effective communicators of science." Professors Susan Jones and Brian F. Yates, Australian Learning and Teaching Council Discipline Scholars for Science "Represents a giant leap forward in our understanding of how digital media can enrich not only the learning of science but also the professional learning of science teachers." Professor Tom Russell, Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada "This excellent edited collection brings together authors at the forefront of promoting media creation in science by children and young people. New media of all kinds are the most culturally significant forms in the lives of learners and the work in this book shows how they can move between home and school and provide new contexts for learning as well as an understanding of key concepts." Dr John Potter, London Knowledge Lab, Dept. of Culture, Communication and Media, University College London, UK Student-generated Digital Media in Science Education supports secondary school teachers, lecturers in universities and teacher educators in improving engagement and understanding in science by helping students unleash their enthusiasm for creating media within the science classroom. Written by pioneers who have been developing their ideas in students’ media making over the last 10 years, it provides a theoretical background, case studies, and a wide range of assignments and assessment tasks designed to address the vital issue of disengagement amongst science learners. It showcases opportunities for learners to use the tools that they already own to design, make and explain science content with five digital media forms that build upon each other— podcasts, digital stories, slowmation, video and blended media. Each chapter provides advice for implementation and evidence of engagement as learners use digital tools to learn science content, develop communication skills, and create science explanations. A student team’s music video animation of the Krebs cycle, a podcast on chemical reactions presented as commentary on a boxing match, a wiki page on an entry in the periodic table of elements, and an animation on vitamin D deficiency among hijab-wearing Muslim women are just some of the imaginative assignments demonstrated. Student-generated Digital Media in Science Education illuminates innovative ways to engage science learners with science content using contemporary digital technologies. It is a must-read text for all educators keen to effectively convey the excitement and wonder of science in the 21st century.

This book examines why the religion-science skirmishes known as the Evolution Wars have persisted into the 21st century. It does so by considering the influences of mass media in relation to decision-making research and the Elaboration Likelihood Model, one of the most authoritative persuasion theories. The book’s analysis concentrates on the expression of cues, or cognitive mental shortcuts, in Darwin-sceptic and counter-creationist broadcasts. A multiyear collection of media generated by the most prominent Darwin-sceptic organizations is surveyed, along with rival publications from supporters of evolutionary theory described as the pro-evolutionists. The analysed materials include works produced by Young Earth Creationist and Intelligent Design media makers, New Atheist pacesetters, as well as both agnostic and religious supporters of evolution. These cues are shown to function as subtle but effective means of shaping public opinion, including appeals to expertise, claims that ideas are being censored, and the tactical use of statistics and technical jargon. Contending that persuasive mass media is a decisive component of science-religion controversies, this book will be of keen interest to scholars of Religion, Science and Religion interactions, as well as researchers of Media and Communication Studies more generally.

What makes this UFO book different? The Reliable Field Guide to UFO Science, Media and Data Sources contains an incredible amount of research and source material, including: • What Proof Is Out there? • The Various Hypotheses and Phenomena • Relevant People, Science Experts, Programs and Projects • Research Organizations, Archives, Databases and Government Reports • 20th To Early 21st Century Researchers, Authors and Documentarians Remember, if you have been searching for an organized and holistic collection of data on this fascinating and divisive subject, The Reliable Field Guide to UFO Science, Media and Data Sources is the book you’ve been searching for. Not another UFO Book? This book is a complete and comprehensive 548 pages of solid resources and knowledge, not just on the subject of UFO’s but also a deep dive into the various branches and related concepts such as the Starseed Hypothesis, the Sasquatch/Bigfoot Phenomenon, the Crop Circle Hypothesis, the Men In Black Hypothesis and many more. Is the TRUTH really out there? Exceptional claims require exceptional proofs however and the concept of Unidentified Flying Objects is no longer purely in the realms of science fiction/fantasy. Recently, with the latest improvements in image capturing and analytical technology and the proliferation of media and data sources we have acquired fantastic amounts of knowledge about the universe but still do not know how much more there is to be discovered. As J B S Haldane once said: 'The universe is not only stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we can imagine.' It is only natural that an intelligent and inquisitive mind, fascinated by anomalous experiences, should eventually turn its attention to the UFO mystery. Whatever your position on UFO’s, from total believer to a complete skeptic, it’s always better to arm yourself with the most up-to-date information on what we currently know, what we think we know and the people and personalities behind the theories and explanations of the various phenomena. The Reliable Field Guide to UFO Science, Media and Data Sources recognizes that the concept of “UFO” must also incorporate the possibilities of a wider spectrum of "Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena/UAP" and explores these concepts and ideas thoroughly. This book takes a wide, holistic view of the subject and recognizes that the concept of “UFO” must also incorporate the possibilities of a wider spectrum of "Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena/UAP".. USO, Unidentified Submerged Phenomena - Psychic Phenomena - Paranormal - Survival of Consciousness after death - Sasquatch, Bigfoot - Government Black Programs, Conspiracies, USAP/Unacknowledged(waived) Special Access Programs - Breakaway civilization - Time Travel - Unknown Secret Histories of Humankind - Roswell and UFO Crash Retrievals - Government Cover-ups and Disinformation Programs - Remote Viewing - Ancient Cultures - UFO/UAP Hypotheses

Science and technology are embedded in virtually every aspect of modern life. As a result, people face an increasing need to integrate information from science with their personal values and other considerations as they make important life decisions about medical care, the safety of foods, what to do about climate change, and many other issues. Communicating science effectively, however, is a complex task and an acquired skill. Moreover, the approaches to communicating science that will be most effective for specific audiences and circumstances are not obvious. Fortunately, there is an expanding science base from diverse disciplines that can support science communicators in making these determinations. Communicating Science Effectively offers a research agenda for science communicators and researchers seeking to apply this research and fill gaps in knowledge about how to communicate effectively about science, focusing in particular on issues that are contentious in the public sphere. To inform this research agenda, this publication identifies important influences â€" psychological, economic, political, social, cultural, and media-related â€" on how science related to such issues is understood, perceived, and used.

Trends of the last few years, including global health crises, political division, and the ongoing threat to social-environmental survival, have been continually obscured by disinformation and misinformation and therefore created a need for stronger global technological media policy. It is no longer acceptable or moral to support a global communication network based only on market factors and propaganda. The Handbook of Research on Global Media’s Preternatural Influence on Global Technological Singularity, Culture, and Government views preternatural healing of the media-sphere from a variety of perspectives on the dynamic of heart-coherent entertainment. Specifically, it addresses the subject of a healthy media from a variety of fractal perspectives. Covering topics such as collective unconscious, mediated reality, and government media trust, this major reference work is an essential resource for librarians, media specialists, media analysts, sociologists, government employees, communications specialists, psychologists, researchers, educators, academicians, and students.

This Handbook links the growing body of media and conflict research with the field of security studies. The academic sub-field of media and conflict has developed and expanded greatly over the past two decades. Operating across a diverse range of academic disciplines, academics are studying the impact the media has on governments pursuing war, responses to humanitarian crises and violent political struggles, and the role of the media as a facilitator of, and a threat to, both peace building and conflict prevention. This handbook seeks to consolidate existing knowledge by linking the body of conflict and media studies with work in security studies. The handbook is arranged into five parts: Theory and Principles. Media, the State and War Media and Human Security Media and Policymaking within the Security State New Issues in Security and Conflict and Future Directions For scholars of security studies, this handbook will provide a key point of reference for state of the art scholarship concerning the media-security nexus; for scholars of communication and media studies, the handbook will provide a comprehensive mapping of the media-conflict field.