Recent rhetorical studies in public understanding of science: Multiple purposes and strengths

Abstract

We review rhetorical studies of the public understanding of science that were published in journals since the last major review in this journal (1994-2011). Our review suggests that a vibrant and increasingly sophisticated body of research 1) has pursued Gross's (1994) emphasis on contextual studies and studies emphasizing judgment of scientific rhetorics, 2) is producing a growing body of work designed to develop specific strategies for scientific rhetorics, and 3) has produced a host of studies exploring science-public interactions (rather than producing sustained fora for such interactions, as Gross argued for). It has, however, 4) produced only modest independent development of rhetorical theories.

Keywords: discourses of science; governance of science and technology; interaction experts/publics; lay expertise; public understanding of science; representations of science; science and popular culture; science communication; scientific controversies; studies of science and technology.