Covid-19 has changed science and our relationship with it forever Covid-19 has changed science and our relationship with it forever 2021 With millions of lives at stake, scientists have accelerated research and its dissemination to tackle Covid-19. When we emerge from the pandemic, science, and our relationship with it, may never be the same again
This article originally featured in the April print edition of Geographical. Subscribe today for the best features and stories, delivered to your doorstep each month. Unprecedented appropriately described 2020. The public thought so – the term was awarded the People’s Choice 2020 Word of the Year by Dictionary.com. Its impact became diluted as 2020 ploughed on with yet more unfathomable shocks. The year in science, however, was certainly without precedent.
Keynote speaker for MSU’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Month will address trust in science in light of COVID-19 Holly Whetstone, whetst11@msu.edu -
March 9, 2021
Keynote presenter Cary Funk, Ph.D., Pew Research Center, will kick-off a year-long theme where CANR will explore the public trust in science and science advice.
Cary Funk, Ph.D., director of science and society research at Pew Research Center.
EAST LANSING, Mich. – How has the global pandemic affected public trust in science? Are people’s opinions more or less favorable toward scientists because of COVID-19?
The Michigan State University (MSU) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) will lead conversations and events on this topic throughout the year. To kick things off, Cary Funk, director of science and s
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Ramakrishna Ramaswamy’s (2020) recent article “Science in the Public Sphere: Obligation and Responsibility” raises an important question about the obligation and responsibility of scientists towards the public. He isolates some of the obstacles in constructing a meaningful relationship between scientists and the public, such as problems relating to trust, concerns about certain politicians’ statements linking science to the ancient past, as well as the lack of scientific temper. He identifies open access to scientific work as well as a more effective science communication actively led by scientists as ways to deal with this problem. While these are important points to consider, it is necessary at least for the sake of a vibrant public discussion with the scientists to consider ways of strengthening these suggestions.