Grantee Research Project Results
2006 Progress Report: Science Journalism
EPA Grant Number: X832302C009Subproject: this is subproject number 009 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant X832302
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: Water Innovation Network for Sustainable Small Systems
Center Director: Reckhow, David A.
Title: Science Journalism
Investigators:
Institution:
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: September 1, 2005 through August 31, 2008
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 1, 2005 through August 31, 2006
RFA: Targeted Research Center (2004) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Targeted Research
Objective:
Project 9 consists of two parts. In the first “research” component we seek background information for the second and larger component. Our goal is to identify the obstacles to better scientific communication to the public and attempt to remedy these in the approach we take to the conference through a search of the quantitative literature. In the second “conference” component we aim to offer to Center for Science and Policy Applications for Coastal Environments (C-SPACE) participants, as well as to the larger Tampa Bay scientific community, an intensive 1-day scientific communications conference designed to help them communicate their ideas, research, and knowledge clearly and forcefully to the public.
Progress Summary:
To our surprise, searches for methodologically rigorous research and references related to science communication and the public yielded only a handful of references, suggesting that there is a great need to better understand the reasons why accurate scientific information often fails to reach the public. Most of the available information on this subject is anecdotal. Therefore, we have modified this research project to use descriptive information available on the most common obstacles to effectively communicating science to the public. We will begin to compile our findings as a practical guide for scientists who wish to communicate beyond their peer groups to the public at large. Although the conference has not yet been conducted, detailed plans are being made for the event. Based upon reviewer comments for our proposal for the second year of funding for C-SPACE, we decided to conserve first-year funds to combine the Science Communication Workshop and the Conference and do one much larger, more noteworthy, and high impact event rather than to conduct two smaller and separate events.
Supplemental Keywords:
water, watersheds, groundwater, land, soil, marine, estuary, chemicals, toxics, PCB, heavy metals, ecosystem, restoration, terrestrial, aquatic, habitat, innovative technology, remediation, restoration, public policy, decision making, modeling, monitoring, analytical, remote sensing, Florida, FL, EPA Region 4, social science, Florida (FL), Phosphate rock mining (SIC 1475), water, orthophosphate, total phosphorus, Tampa Bay, Bishops Harbor, Cockroach Bay, sediment, pore water.,Relevant Websites:
http://www.stpt.usf.edu/cspace/cspace.asp Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractMain Center Abstract and Reports:
X832302 Water Innovation Network for Sustainable Small Systems Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
X832302C001 Past and Present Water Quality in Florida Coastal Waters
X832302C002 Cyanobacteria Proliferation and Eutrophication in Florida Lakes
X832302C003 Reactive Metal Particle Emulsions for Removal of PCBs
X832302C004 The Social and Environmental Dimensions of Xeriscaping: A Pathway for Ameliorating Coastal Environments
X832302C005 An Historical Perspective on the Economic and Environmental Impacts of the Phosphate Industry on the Tampa Bay Region
X832302C006 Interfacing SWAT and PHABSIM: A Potential GIS-based Water Resource Management Tool
X832302C007 Acquisition of Counters for Gamma-Emitting Radioisotopes
X832302C008 Guided Surface Vehicles
X832302C009 Science Journalism
X832302C010 Administration and Outreach
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.