Public Engagement Tool Research Articles

Tweeting Science and Ethics: Social Media as a Tool for Constructive Public Engagement

Murdoch and Scott (2010) challenge us to think more deeply about the complex and challenging practical realities of stem cell tourism. The authors describe the strong consensus within the scientifi...

Development of the first audio microphone for use on the surface of Mars

In 1999, NASA launched the Mars Polar Lander (MPL) to study volatiles and the climate history of Mars. Among the many instruments aboard the spacecraft was the first audio microphone sensor ever developed for the environment of Mars, included as a piggy-back sensor on the Russian LIDAR experiment. Funded by The Planetary Society and built and tested by the U.C. Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory, the Mars Microphone was a unique and powerful tool for public engagement with the Mars exploration program. The possibilities for sound sources on Mars included wind and dust found in dust devils and storms, atmospheric electricity, and lander-generated sounds such as camera movements and the digging of the robotic arm. Here we outline the design, development, and test program for a spaceflight acoustic sensor, where the unique challenges of extreme environments, limited data bandwidth, and requirements for a low-power, light-weight system were overcome. While the MPL mission was lost and no data ever returned, the Mars Microphone nonetheless stimulated interest in the science of extra-terrestrial acoustics and in future planetary mission instruments based on acoustic methods.

Theatre as a public engagement tool for health-policy development

Purpose To explore theatre as a public engagement tool for health-policy development. Background In a justice-based democracy, engagement of a large number of citizens of diverse perspectives is required for legitimate health-policy development. However, all current strategies of citizen participation are limited in their capacity to engage, either by lack of opportunity to educate citizens prior to soliciting their opinions or lack of large numbers of citizens. Methods A series of 12 nested case studies was conducted, with each case study consisting of a performance of a 70-min play, specifically written to educate citizens to scientific, clinical, and psychosocial issues of adult predictive genetic testing, and to foster empathy for persons immersed therein; and a 1-h audience discussion that was taped and transcribed for qualitative analysis (modified thematic). The script was based on key informant interviews, literature review, and six script readings for key informants and communities. Audience members were recruited through conference or educational event programs, posters, newsletters, and electronic announcements, as well as newspaper advertisements and other public, community and institutional postings. Results More than 1000 citizens were engaged. The analysis indicated that audience members were engaged emotionally and cognitively in the position of the characters and the health-policy issues. Audience members’ comments forwarded from personal or professional lived experience confirmed the validity of the script and promoted further emotional and cognitive engagement of other audience members. Audience members offered informed and diverse opinions on policy issues, including resource allocation, patenting of genetic tests, research funding, genetic test-based insurance discrimination, and imperative for public education. The potential for harm to key informants and audience members (and those in relationships with them) were observed, usually related to learning or offering personal information regarding their genetic risk. Conclusion As many citizens can be engaged in theatre-based policy development as surveyed through public opinion polls, and many times the number that can be engaged in strategies that educate citizens prior to soliciting their opinions, likely at a similar cost per citizen engaged.

Assessing Public Perceptions of Computer-Based Models

Although there is a solid body of research on both collaborative decision-making and on processes using models, there is little research on general public attitudes about models and their use in making policy decisions. This project assessed opinions about computer models in general and attitudes about a specific model being used in water planning in the Middle Rio Grande Region of New Mexico, United States. More than 1000 individuals were surveyed about their perceptions of computer-based models in general. Additionally, more than 150 attendees at public meetings related to the Middle Rio Grande planning effort were surveyed about their perceptions of the specific Rio Grande-based model. The results reveal that the majority of respondents are confident in their ability to understand models and most believe that models are appropriate tools for education and for making policy decisions. Responses also reveal that trust in who develops a model is a key issue related to public support. Regarding the specific model highlighted in this project, the public revealed tremendous support for its usefulness as a public engagement tool as well as a tool to assist decision-makers in regional water planning. Although indicating broad support for models, the results do raise questions about the role of trust in using models in contentious decisions.