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Responsible Health Communication, Need of the Hour

“If scientists don’t communicate, non-experts will start communicating and then the cloud of misinformation and disinformation would emerge, therefore it is essential to make our scientists involved in the significant job of science communication,” said Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director of CSIR-NIScPR (National Institute of Science Communication & Policy Research).

CSIR-NIScPR in collaboration with ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research)  organised a ‘Contact Session on Health Communication’ on 16 Nov. 2022. The purpose of the Contact Session was to deliberate on the ways in which misinformation can be curbed. If scientists can deliver information to the pubic, unscientific information can be eradicated.

The ‘Super 30’ scientists:

The Contact Session was attended by 30 scientists from various laboratories of ICMR. Dr. Rajni Kant, Scientist-G & Director, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Gorakhpur was the Guest of Honour of the programme. During the inaugural function, Dr. Kant said, “these are Super 30 scientists from ICMR laboratories and I am sure they will become proficient science communicators after this course of science communication.”

In the first session, experts delivered lectures on ‘Research Communication vs. Science Communication: Need of the Hour”. Other topics of discussion included, ‘Health Communication in Post Covid Era’, and ‘Popular Science Writing for Different Media’. After the first session, a session on the know-how of production and printing in science communication was also facilitated. All the participants visited the scientific facilities of CSIR-NIScPR, which included a visit to the printing unit-machineries, Ayur Vatika of medicinal plants and herbarium of raw materials based on plants, animals and minerals.

In the second session, senior science communicator and photojournalist Pallav Bagla interacted with participants about the ‘Clever ways of communicating science.' Other presentations included topics like ‘SVASTIK and its Media Coverage Insights’, ‘how to communicate your research to general public’, etc.

Institutional efforts for responsible science communication:

CSIR-NIScPR came into existence on 14th January 2021 with the then Minister of Science & Technology Dr. Harsh Vardhan’s effort. CSIR-NIScPR aims to become a globally respected institution in the domain of science policy research and science communication. The institute seeks to act as a bridge at the interface of science, technology, industry and society.

Further, CSIR-NIScPR has come out with 18 peer-reviewed research journals covering major disciplines of science and technology. The topics range from physics to radio-physics, chemistry to chemical technology, experimental biology to biotechnology, and intellectual property rights to traditional knowledge.

The three most popular science magazines in the country are also published by the institute. These magazines are Science Reporter (in English), Vigyan Pragati (in Hindi) and Science ki Duniya (in Urdu). Even after the Contact Session, it was decided that all the participants will contribute to the magazines with a piece on their area of expertise.

 

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