Towards epistemic justice in science communication
Michel'Angelo Grima Hall Annex
Effective science engagement assumes that people share an understanding of who is an expert and what counts as evidence. In reality, different groups of people hold differing ideas on these issues. This prevents constructive conversation and collaboration in addressing pertinent global challenges. More importantly, it contributes to the continuous marginalization of disadvantaged groups.
In this workshop, we examine the reasons behind this issue and discuss what can be done about it. After an introduction of the topic, the panel members will briefly contextualize the problem based on their expertise from research and practice in different parts of the world. The participants will work in groups, based on their interest and background, exploring hypothetical scenarios that highlight different aspects of the problem. To conclude, we will bring our insights together in a plenary discussion.
This session is part of the Inclusion and Equity conference track.
Outcomes: what will participants get from this session? Skills, knowledge, experience etc.
The participants will gain experience, aligned with their professional practice in either (1) engagement, (2) research, or (3) policy, in (1) identifying epistemic injustice, (2) problematizing particular cases of injustice within general systems of oppression, and (3) devising practical ways to foster epistemic justice in their professional activity.
Session speakers
Professor of science and environmental education
Justin will draw on his work on climate change education to discuss epistemic (in)justice. For example, is well known that Indigenous peoples are disproportionally vulnerable to climate change. Ironically, perhaps, these communities know much more about fair and sustainable climate adaptation planning and policymaking. However, Indigenous peoples and their knowledges are far more likely to be excluded from policies and plans that relate to adaptation.
Department of Science Education, University of Copenhagen
Marianne will draw on her research in science communication inclusion and diversity to discuss the need to include different voices when co-creating sustainability solutions. She will discuss different ways of knowing and how they can be points of departure for thinking about sustainability solutions.
Resarcher and science communicator
National Institute of Public Communication of Science and Technology
Luisa will talk about vaccine-related polemics in Brazil. She will explore how various stakeholders negotiate their positions on vaccine-related topics and the role science communication plays in these discussions.
Valeria will set the stage for this discussion by introducing the concept of epistemic injustice and discussing its potential causes and effects. Drawing on her PhD research, she will explore the relationship between epistemic (in)justice and epistemological uncertainty, defined as the uncertainty stemming from the co-existence of multiple knowledge systems in a given communication setting.