Science Communication and Society D

Academic unit or major

Graduate major in Earth-Life Science

Instructor(s)

Shawn Mcglynn / Thilina Nishadh Heenatigala

Class Format

Exercise (Face-to-face)

Media-enhanced courses

-

Day of week/Period
(Classrooms)

7-8 Mon (石川台7号館(ELSI-1)三島ホール) / 7-8 Thu (石川台7号館(ELSI-1)三島ホール)

Class

-

Course Code

ELS.C642

Number of credits

020

Course offered

2025

Offered quarter

3Q

Syllabus updated

Oct 21, 2025

Language

English

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

This course enables PhD students from across the sciences to critically examine the relationship between science and society, focusing on issues of trust, legitimacy, ethics, diversity, crisis communication, and misinformation. Through a blend of lectures, discussions, and project work, students will explore how scientific knowledge is shaped, contested, and communicated in different cultural and political contexts. The course is project-based, with each student developing a case study on a controversy or dilemma related to their own field; these will be compiled into a collective case study volume, providing both a scholarly exercise and a tangible contribution to the institute’s public engagement. Ultimately, the course equips students with the awareness and frameworks needed to navigate the societal dimensions of their research and to see science as a force for equity, sustainability, and positive change.

Course description and aims

By the end of this course, students will be able to critically analyse the relationship between science and society by engaging with themes such as trust, legitimacy, ethics, crisis communication, diversity, and misinformation. They will learn to evaluate how scientific knowledge is shaped and contested across cultural and political contexts, and to identify the ethical and social dilemmas that arise within their own research fields. Through project-based work, students will develop case studies that connect their disciplinary expertise to broader societal debates, synthesising insights into written and oral outputs that contribute to a collective case study volume and demonstrate their ability to reflect on the societal dimensions of science.

Student learning outcomes

実務経験と講義内容との関連 (又は実践的教育内容)

This course is taught by instructors with extensive professional experience at the intersection of science, communication, and society. Drawing on backgrounds that combine academic research with public engagement, policy advising, media practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration, the instructors bring real-world perspectives into the classroom. Their experience working across diverse contexts—ranging from scientific institutions and international organisations to community engagement projects—ensures that students gain insights not only into theoretical frameworks but also into the practical challenges and dilemmas of communicating science in society. This expertise enriches the course by grounding discussions in lived examples and by guiding students as they develop case studies that bridge their research with broader societal concerns.

Keywords

Science Communication, Science and Society, Trust in science, Ethics and dilemmas, Crisis communication, Academic careers

Competencies

• Specialist skills
• Intercultural skills
• Communication skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

Each class follows a seminar-style flow that combines framing, engagement, and reflection: sessions begin with a short recap and introduction to the day’s theme, followed by either a lecture that presents key concepts and case studies or project-focused activities such as peer review, stakeholder mapping, or ethical scenario analysis. Students then work in small groups or whole-class discussions to connect ideas to their own research fields, before spending time applying the concepts directly to their ongoing case studies. Each class concludes with a synthesis of key takeaways and clear prompts for the next step, creating a rhythm that steadily builds projects toward the final presentations.

Course schedule/Objectives

Study advice (preparation and review)

Students are expected to spend approximately 2–3 hours per week outside of class on preparation and review. This may include reading assigned materials, preparing short writing or visualisation tasks, refining project work, and reviewing feedback from in-class activities to strengthen their communication skills.

Textbook(s)

None

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Materials will be provided.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Students will be evaluated based on in-class participation of activities and dialogue with the instructors and other students. And completion of a project.

Related courses

• -

Prerequisites

The student should have a basic level of English communication skill, and scientific literacy.

Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).

thilinah[at]elsi.jp
mcglynn[at]elsi.jp