STS Network Japan, 2001 Autumn Symposium

"Expectations toward Science and Technology Journalism"

Date: November 23rd (Fri)
Time: 13.00 - 18:00 (the doors open at 12:30)

Venue: Lecture Theatre (3rd Floor), Bldg. 13, the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, the University of Tokyo Access: 7-minute-walk from Higashi-Kitazawa Station (Odakyu Line), or 10-minute-walk from Komaba-Todaimae Station (Inokashira Line). Please refer to the website for the RCAST, http://www.rcast.u-tokyo.ac.jp/map/map-j.html

Free / No Reservation Required / Non-Members Are Welcome
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SYMPOSIUM WILL BE HELD IN JAPANESE ONLY

Panellists: Naoki Asakawa (Graduate School, Tokyo University), Akifumi Ueda (Representative of 'Saturday Lectures on Consideration of Science and Technology' (Kagaku to Syakai wo Kangaeru Doyo-Koza), Tadashi Kobayashi (Nanzan University), Mamoru Hayashi (Universal Design Intelligence, Inc.,), and 2 more panellists (to be announced when negotiated)

Recent discussions on STS seem to be demanding the search of options as to "how lay people can 'positively' deal with social problems which require the expert knowledge in science and technology." To attack this issue, we have discussed the "science education", mainly for the youth, in the Summer School held in July/August. Turning our eyes to the science communication for the adults, this symposium will focus on the Science and Technology Journalism, which plays a crucial role in such a communication. As many know, there has been a variety of discussions concerning different aspects of science and technology journalism. And now, perhaps more than ever, there appears to be a need to take up this issue seriously for 1) the rapid development of STS research, 2) the accumulation of topics (accidents) which are dealt with in science and technology journalism, and 3) the growing concerns towards science and technology journalism itself. It is hoped that the discussion about science and technology journalism, that is to question "what kind of technical knowledge is required (or not required)", "what technical knowledge should be known widely", and through these questions, "how science and technology journalism should be", renders us to reach certain detailed suggestions, as well as a more general scope into the issues of science communication. There of course is a need to consider the nature of journalism, which would lead to another question of possible difficulties/risks in transmitting information. All in all, there are many directions in which the discussion in this symposium can take, but it is expected to reveal to us various viewpoints/opinions about science and technology journalism. We are looking forward to your participation.