Science and technology communication

The promotion of science and technology (S&T) communication is one of the top priorities on the current agendas of science, technology and innovation policy in industrial countries. On the one hand, S&T communication is expected to enhance public understanding of the science and technology that sustain our societies, drive our economies and affect our lives. The products and processes of science and technology are so prevalent in our societies that we cannot live without an appropriate understanding of their concepts, logics, mechanisms and effects. On the other hand, S&T communication is also expected to promote experts’ and policymakers’ understanding of public needs and concerns regarding the development and uses of science and technology. In contemporary democratic societies, policymakers cannot obtain legitimacy for their decisions on scientific and technological development without public consent.

Related Subject(s): Environment and Climate Change