Course description
Science is constantly in the news, but how much do you know about how research gets to be news? How do you know you can trust what you read? Science and Society will explain how the scientific media work and how to critically assess what you read. You will learn about scientific ethics by studying high profile cases of fraud.
A broad introduction to ethics in research will be given which will span topics from ethics in medicine and science, government and university codes and policies and ethical considerations in publishing.
The importance of scientific engagement with the public, government/policy makers and research peers will be presented. You will take part in a field trip to Aberdeen Science Centre to understand the challenges in running such a centre and provide constructive criticism to the staff. We will show how to pitch a complex scientific concept to a general audience – in this case based around the challenges faced by small island developing states in the face of climate change.
Course Coordinator Professor Marcel Jaspars m.jaspars@abdn.ac.uk