Abstract of talk

The relation between science and society has become increasingly complex and challenging because of two interrelated issues. 
First, the boundaries between science and society have become blurred. The blurring of boundaries has resulted in more diverse interactions and interfaces, involving a greater variety of scientific and non-scientific actors. This has provided new opportunities (such as participatory research agendas, citizen science) but has also led to new challenges. The network of connections between science and society is becoming ever more complex, fragmented, heterogeneous and context-specific. Extending the range of actors has extended the range of issues and concerns addressed. 
Second, digitalisation has transformed the science communication landscape. It has fundamentally changed how scientists and a variety of publics interact and communicate. Moreover, due to fragmentation of the media landscape, the public now often read and watch information about science from sources where the traditional media’s editorial oversight and fact checking are lacking. Online, everyone can spread (scientific) information. Facts can be found to support virtually every statement, hence reducing the credibility of scientific facts. It has become relatively easy to disregard scientific evidence as ‘just another opinion’. 
Given the various crises the world is facing today, this is a crucial moment in time. But how can more constructive science-society interfaces be shaped? First of all, we should not fall into the trap of the often-heard plea ‘We need to explain things better’, which has proven over and over again to be ineffective. The answer does not lie in better one-way communication, but in better listening and more inclusive and meaningful collaboration. Creating new interfaces between science and society is not easy. In this presentation I will argue that a radical shift toward public participation in science, open science and citizen science is required. In this transition process, it is first and foremost a re-constellation of science that is needed, rather than the scientification of citizens. I will illustrate this by discussing the transition from traditional modes of communication on uncertain environmental and public health risks to ‘governance-style’ modes of interaction, called ‘risk governance communication’, as well as its facilitators and barriers.