PUBLICATIONS
Science is essential to identify risks. Due to this, it is playing an increasingly more important role in policy decisions about how to address these risks. This reality is raising its public profile, but the transformation is reciprocal. As political issues become more scientific, science becomes more political. That is, the arguments provided by science to policy formulation are interpreted in a policy and regulatory specific context. This connection makes science more exposed to criticism and, as a result, is becoming more dependent on public legitimacy.
One of the consequences on Western countries of the growing public importance of science and technology and its politicization has been the institutional concern for the social perception of science and scientific literacy of citizens. The results of existing studies point to the presence of a kind of social trap whereby people can maintain a positive attitude towards science and technology without being involved in ensuring the "health" of scientific and technological activity. However, the proper scientific development of society requires finding elements that contribute to this implication. This is one of the objectives of the Research Unit on Scientific Culture. Below is included a selection of the publications of the Unit as a result of this activity.
Approaches to risk communication from academic, corporate and media perspectives in contemporary society. Abstract - PDF
Press coverage about the Copenhaguen Climate Change Conference (dec. 2009) in the Spanish mass media: Journalistic norms and narratives. Abstract - PDF
2010 Eurobarometer on Science and Technology. The Position of Spain in the European Context. Abstract - PDF
Perception of the environment and its position among the concerns of Spanish people: Analysis of CIS opinion surveys. Abstract - PDF
Environment and social reality in printed media: content analysis of the press coverage. Abstract - PDF
Environment, science and innovation. Analysis from the perspective of Science Studies. Abstract - PDF
Sustainability and indicators overview from ecological economics and environmental economics perspective. Abstract - PDF