The ‘credibility paradox’ in China’s science communication: Views from scientific practitioners

Abstract

In contrast to increasing debates on China’s rising status as a global scientific power, issues of China’s science communication remain under-explored. Based on 21 in-depth interviews in three cities, this article examines Chinese scientists’ accounts of the entangled web of influence which conditions the process of how scientific knowledge achieves (or fails to achieve) its civic authority. A main finding of this study is a ‘credibility paradox’ as a result of the over-politicisation of science and science communication in China. Respondents report that an absence of visible institutional endorsements renders them more public credibility and better communication outcomes. Thus, instead of exploiting formal channels of science communication, scientists interviewed were more keen to act as ‘informal risk communicators’ in grassroots and private events. Chinese scientists’ perspectives on how to earn public support of their research sheds light on the nature and impact of a ‘civic epistemology’ in an authoritarian state.

Encountered but Not Engaged: Examining the Use of Social Media for Science Communication by Chinese Scientists

“…In her studies, Smith (2016) demonstrated scientists' willingness for public engagement on Twitter, despite their apparent claims that were based on the deficit model, and J. Y. Zhang (2015) displayed Chinese scientists' voluntary practice of science communication despite political control. Our study has paralleled these earlier findings with more evidences.…”

“…Second, social media has changed the transmission and control of information dramatically in China (Tu, 2016), but what impact has it exerted on State-dominated science communication in the country (Jia & Liu, 2014; J. Y. Zhang, 2015)? State-dominated science communication, which is sometimes equivalent to propaganda, is featured by publicizing scientific achievements and boasting of their political implications and the advantages of socialism, and highlighting national pride (Jia & Liu, 2009;Jia & Liu, 2014).…”

Insights from China for a Global Perspective on a Responsible Science–society Relationship

“…Science popularization refers to a kind of activity or tool, rather than to a theory, and is the main concept used in China, according to Xu et al (2015). In the literature, the focus has been on notions such as scientific popularization, scientific literacy, popular science publishing and science communication (Jia and Liu, 2014;Wu and Qiu, 2013;Xu et al, 2015;Zhang, 2015). Public engagement was seen as influencing decision-making and, more broadly, as influencing engagement in science communication activities, in which large groups were actively participating.…”

Lost in Translation? Accountability and Governance of Clinical Stem Cell Research in China

“…In some cases, inattentiveness to research activities outside centralized funding schemes may create an adverse situation in which 'the bad drives out the good'. For example, during my fieldwork as Expert Consultant for the Ministry of Science commissioned project, 'Ethical Issues and Governing Strategies in Scientific Research' in 2014 [48], one stem cell scientist at Tongji University complained to us that as the then MOH had prohibited unauthorized stem cell research, his state-funded project was effectively suspended until further clarity from the government. In the meantime, rival researchers working in the commercial sector forged ahead, for their careers and future funding were independent from the state system.…”