• Question: Do you think that science presenters are always qualified?

    Asked by annabelissima to Anna, Hayley, Iain, Rebecca on 15 Jun 2015.
    • Photo: Iain Bethune

      Iain Bethune answered on 15 Jun 2015:

      Usually they are, in fact the best and most enthusiastic presenters are experts in their field. Just think about Monica Grady and Matt Taylor in the coverage of the Philae landing on comment 67P!

      The unfortunate thing is when ‘for the sake of balance’ a scientist is in a TV debate against some uninformed objector (like a homeopath) and therefore they get equal airtime despite the fact that their views are not backed up by any evidence.

    • Photo: anon

      anon answered on 15 Jun 2015:

      I agree with Iain – most of them are!

    • Photo: Anna Kutner

      Anna Kutner answered on 15 Jun 2015:

      Hi annabelissima. I think I agree with the guys. Any misinterpretations or miscommunications are often due to either not including the full explanation in the programme/news etc. or not communicating it clearly. I remember the outrage of the Japanese nation after the Fukushima disaster when they accused the academic experts for being unfeeling and crass. Well scientifically the experts were correct in their asssessment of the accident but they forgot the crucial aspect of communicating science – the ‘how’ and ‘to whom’.

Comments