We’ve asked BingChat to answer the following questions:
Question 1: What are the risks and benefits of scientists engaging in scientific advice, advocacy and activism?
Question 2: What should be the principles/rules of engagement with policy and society?
Answer
Scientists engaging in scientific advice, advocacy and activism can have both positive and negative impacts on their own credibility, the public perception of science, and the policy-making process. Some of the potential benefits are:
– Scientists can provide reliable and relevant information to policy-makers and the public, helping them to make informed decisions and actions on climate change ¹².
– Scientists can raise awareness and stimulate public debate on climate change, fostering a more democratic and participatory science-society relationship ³⁴.
– Scientists can influence policy agendas and outcomes by highlighting the urgency and importance of climate change, as well as proposing feasible and effective solutions ⁵⁶.
Some of the potential risks are:
– Scientists may face personal or professional threats, harassment, or backlash from opponents of climate action, especially if they engage in civil disobedience or protest ⁷⁸.
– Scientists may lose trust or credibility among their peers or the public if they are perceived as biased, politicized, or overstepping their expertise ⁹ .
– Scientists may encounter ethical dilemmas or conflicts of interest when engaging with stakeholders who have different values, interests, or agendas ¹¹¹².
Question 2: What should be the principles/rules of engagement with policy and society?
Answer: There is no definitive answer to this question, as different contexts and situations may require different approaches and strategies. However, some possible principles or rules of engagement that scientists could follow are:
– Be clear about the purpose, scope, and limitations of your engagement. Define your role, expectations, and boundaries as a scientist. Communicate your findings and recommendations in an accurate, transparent, and accessible way ¹³ .
– Be respectful of the diversity of views, values, and experiences of your audience. Listen to their concerns, questions, and feedback. Acknowledge uncertainty, complexity, and controversy when they exist. Avoid jargon, technical terms, or acronyms that may confuse or alienate your audience .
– Be responsive to the needs, interests, and preferences of your audience. Tailor your engagement to suit the context, format, and channel of communication. Use appropriate methods and tools to facilitate dialogue, interaction, and participation. Provide opportunities for feedback and evaluation .
(1) Scientists Pursue Climate Activism Despite Violent Threats. https://www.resilience.org/sto
(2) Climate engagement and activism | Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/sc
(3) Science activism is surging – which marks a culture shift among scientists. https://theconversation.com/sc
(4) The surprising science of climate protests – BBC Future. https://www.bbc.com/future/art
(5) Meet the academics turning to climate activism – DW – 12/12/2019. https://www.dw.com/en/meet-the
(6) Public engagement with science—Origins, motives and impact in … – PLOS. https://journals.plos.org/plos
(7) Perspective: Science policy through public engagement. https://academic.oup.com/spp/a
(8) A PRACTICAL GUIDE – Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform. https://sustainabledevelopment
(9) Engaging policy in science writing: Patterns and strategies. https://journals.plos.org/plos
(10) undefined. https://doi.org/10.1371/journa
(11) undefined. https://www.nrf.ac.za/division
(12) undefined. https://doi.org/10.1093/scipol
(13) undefined. https://doi.org/10.1371/journa
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