A crisis in science literacy and communication: Does reluctance to engage the public make academic scientists complicit?

Abstract

The impetus for this commentary was the news that I was chosen to receive the 2018 Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) Lee Lorch Award (the CAUT Distinguished Academic Award), which recognizes contributions to the three pillars of academia: teaching, research, and service. Although delighted by the news, I admit that it felt odd to receive a reward for doing something that I love. I have always believed that it is a privilege to be a professor. I love universities. I love universities because they are keepers, interpreters, and disseminators of our collective knowledge. I love universities because they are also the place where we create new knowledge: knowledge that can be used to improve our lives.

Keywords

• science literacy
• science communication
• environment