[P2P-F] Fwd: JCOM 10(1) - new issue - March 2011

Mon Mar 21 14:28:59 CET 2011

Dear Alessandro,

I'm off for 2 weeks and can't process this for the moment, but perhaps you
can present this issue by referring to the books issue in particular?

Michel

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <jcom-eo at jcom.sissa.it>
Date: Mon, Mar 21, 2011 at 8:04 PM
Subject: JCOM 10(1) - new issue - March 2011
To: michelsub2004 at gmail.com

Dear all, we are pleased to announce that the March 2011 issue of JCOM -
Journal of Science Communication - (issue 1, volume 10)

http://jcom.sissa.it/

is online.

Comments, remarks and papers by you are kindly requested.

The next issue will be online on the 21st June 2011.

CALL FOR ARTICLES:
We are seeking articles for a special issue of JCOM focused on the future of
science journalism.
For a detailed description of the call topics and further guidance on
submission you can see the journal website at

http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/09/04/call-journalism-2011

CONTENTS:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDITORIAL

The new book

Daniele Gouthier

The Internet and digital media are changing science books. They change the
way readers approach books and change the way books present their contents.
Probably, the Internet and digital media are also changing the contents
themselves.

http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001(2011)E/

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ARTICLE

Theatre to motivate the study of physics

Marina Carpineti, Michela Cavinato, Marco Giliberti, Nicola Ludwig, Laura
Perini

A survey we carried out in upper secondary schools showed that the majority
of the students consider physics as an important resource, yet as
essentially connected to technology in strict terms, and not contributing
"culture", being too difficult a subject. Its appreciation tends to fade as
their education progresses through the grades. The search for physics
communication methods to increase interest and motivation among students
prompted the Department of Physics at the University of Milan to establish
the Laboratory of ScienzATeatro (SAT) in 2004. Up to May 2010, SAT staged
three shows and one lesson-show having physics as a main theme, for students
attending any grades at school. Good indicators of the efficacy of those
shows are: the number of repeats (256 of them up to May 2010), the
reputation of the theatres in which they were performed, and the results of
two surveys on the achievement of the goals, which saw the participation of
over 50 classes each.

http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001(2011)A01/

**********

In search of a new public for scientific exhibitions or festivals: the lead
of casual visitors

Fabienne Crettaz von Roten

This article examines the public at a science exhibition or festival and
tries to determine whether casual visitors are a means of expanding the
audience. According to a Swiss survey of public attitudes towards science
(2005), the non-public of a science exhibition or festival is distinguished
by demographics such as gender and education (more female and less
educated), cultural practices (less frequent) and attitudes towards science
(less positive). Considering the Swiss science festival of 2009, casual
visitors differ from intentional ones in terms of sociodemographic aspects
and scientific cultural practices; on the other hand, casual visitors are
close to intentional ones in terms of non-scientific cultural practices and
attitudes towards science. Consequently, casual visitors are one way of
increasing audiences.

http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001(2011)A02/

**********

The use of scientific knowledge in the decision making process of
environmental public policies in Brazil

Maria José Carneiro, Teresa da-Silva-Rosa

The way policy makers mobilize scientific knowledge in order to formulate
environmental policies is important for understanding the developmental
process of environmental policies. Some biodiversity conservation policies,
such as those establishing the conservation units and laws on the regulation
of land use in protected areas, were selected as objects of analysis. The
aim was to see whether political decision makers are supported by scientific
knowledge or not. Based on interviews with technical staff from governmental
institutions, politicians and scientists, this study analyzed the way the
knowledge is mobilized by policy makers concerning measures related to
biodiversity conservation in the state of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). We have
concluded that environmental policy makers do not normally use the knowledge
produced by scientific and academic institutions. Rather than being based on
a systematic bibliographic research on environmental issues, the decisions
are supported
 either by personal experience or by expert advice. The measures under
analysis were not supported by evidence based on knowledge but motivated by
political or economic interests. Paradoxically, policy makers consider
themselves sufficiently well informed to make decisions concerning the
policy to be implemented.

http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001(2011)A03/

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COMMENT

Nearly five centuries of science books

Daniele Gouthier

In four steps - from Renaissance to the dawn of the 20th century - this
issue explores some aspects of the history of book sciences, as research and
popularisation instruments also playing a role in economy. Adrian Johns
speaks about the origin of science books in the Renaissance. Then, through
the papers respectively by Bruce Lewenstein and Paola Govoni, the focus
moves to science books in 19th-century America and Italy. They demonstrate
that, in both countries, science books were a stimulus to the establishment
of a national scientific community. Finally, Francesco De Ceglia exemplifies
the role played by agrarian catechisms in the process of spreading farming
skills among landowners.

http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001(2011)C01/

**********

Science books and networks in the Renaissance. An interview with Adrian
Johns

Adrian Johns

The interview portrays the role of scientific books during the Renaissance.
Books written within the tradition of skilled technical and intellectual
practice shaped the way that led to the birth of modern science. Rooted in a
panorama characterized by the multiplicity of cultural authorities,
scientific books deeply influenced Renaissance culture and created networks
interlaced with the existing trade channels. Big single-authored works,
typical in the Renaissance, thereafter would be replaced by smaller-scale
publications.

http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001(2011)C01/Jcom1001(2011)C02

**********

Scientific books in American culture. An interview with Bruce V. Lewenstein

Bruce V. Lewenstein

The interview presents an overview on the role of scientific publications
during some key periods in United States history. It describes the
developing of a culture scientifique in the late XIX century and the
increasing relevance of the US within the scientific world, intertwined with
a new public demand for science stories; only during the Cold War some books
begin to question science. The author here argues that scientific books are
a key marker of the way science fits the American culture.

http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001(2011)C01/Jcom1001(2011)C03

**********

Popularizing science in Italy: a historical perspective. An interview with
Paola Govoni

Paola Govoni

The interview concerns the role of scientific books in the Italian society
from the 19th century until today. Having played an important role in the
formation of a national scientific community, science popularization has
offered a ceaseless high-quality production during the past two centuries.
On the other hand, even today scientific publications do reach only a narrow
Žlite. In the author's opinion, only the school system has the power to
widen the public for science in Italy.

http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001(2011)C01/Jcom1001(2011)C04

**********

Farmers for the kingdom of Heaven. Agrarian catechisms in southern Italy in
the late enlightenment and the limitations of technical publications

Francesco Paolo de Ceglia

Catechism, a literary genre of a religious origin, was once employed in the
teaching of 'lay' subjects, especially of a technical nature. This is a
review of this past editorial tradition which illustrates the potentialities
and the limitations of agrarian catechisms, with a special focus on their
spreading across Southern Italy in the late Enlightenment. This paper
reflects on whether a book was the best instrument to hand down procedures
and notions to people who supposedly were illiterate or unschooled.

http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/10/01/Jcom1001(2011)C01/Jcom1001(2011)C05

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