Stem cell technologies: how scientists, policymakers, and other stakeholders engage with the public
This project is being undertaken by researchers from the School of Political and Social Inquiry: Professor Alan Petersen (Sociology) and Dr Kate Seear (Sociology) |
 |
| Professor Alan Petersen | Dr Kate Seear |
Project Description and Aims
The study aims to:- explore the perceptions of key stakeholders’ (including scientists, clinicians, policymakers, patient groups) about the challenges facing them in communicating about stem cell technologies;
- explore the perceptions of key stakeholders’ about the role of the media in reporting developments in stem cell technologies,
- explore how stem cell scientists and other key stakeholders represent themselves and their work to the public.
Project Background
In recent years scientists have become increasingly aware of the importance of public support for scientific innovations and emerging technologies. This awareness has developed within a climate of scientific controversy: in particular, well-publicised controversies about emerging technologies such as genetically modified (GM) foods. Perhaps with a view to minimising the potential for such controversies, scientists have sought to take a more active role in the representation of scientific research directly to the public. In September 2008, Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories (MISCL) held the world’s first public awareness day on stem cell research. The awareness day featured a series of presentations from Australian and international scientists working in this field. A second awareness day is to be held in September 2009.
Our research is a qualitative study involving interviews with scientists, policymakers and other stakeholders who organised and participated in either of these Stem Cell Awareness Days. The purpose of the study is to establish a better understanding of what those who are involved in producing a large-scale scientific public awareness day hope to achieve, the key issues facing individuals working in this field, how scientists seek to communicate to the media and the public about the work they are doing and scientist’s perspectives on the role of the media in representing stem cell research.
This study is potentially significant because it will offer insights into the issues scientists, policymakers and other stakeholders perceive to be facing this field. The way in which these stakeholders seek to represent their work is important because they may potentially influence how publics perceive emergent technologies and the risks and ethical issues involved.
Invitation to participate
We are interested in speaking to all scientists, clinicians, policymakers, business groups, and patient groups who were involved in any way in either the 2008 or 2009 Stem Cell Awareness Day.
What we would like you to do?
If you decide to participate, we will interview you about your experience of the Stem Cell Awareness Day. We want to find out about the challenges facing you in communicating about stem cell technologies to the public, your views about the role of the media in reporting developments in stem cell technologies and your thoughts on the purpose and opportunities arising out of the Stem Cell Awareness Day to present information about stem cell technologies to media and publics.
How will we use the interviews?
Your participation will help us to establish a better understanding of what those who are involved in producing a large-scale scientific public awareness day hope to achieve, the key issues facing individuals working in this field, how scientists seek to communicate to the media and the public about the work they are doing and key stakeholders’ perspectives on the role of the media in reporting stem cell research. This study has ethics approval from the Monash University Human Research Ethics committee (MUHREC, CF08/3073 – 2008001514). Participation is entirely voluntary and false names will be used to protect the identities of participants. More information about the precautions that have been taken to protect the identity of participants and the security of the information they provide can be obtained from the research team.
Contact Us
If you would like to know more about this study or if you are interested in being interviewed for this project, please contact Dr Kate Seear at Kate.Seear@arts.monash.edu.au or on (03) 9905 4292.