#6 Why Do We Talk So Differently About Innovation, Asks Dr Melanie Smallman | WeAreSTS

Dr Melanie Smallman talks about her meta-study of attitudes across 10 emerging technologies by public, government, and politicians. Her conclusion: we talk quite differently about innovation. Smallman argues those differences matter for how we respond to the changes taking place around us. Science communication and public engagement needs to be smarter about the public it serves. Dr Melanie Smallman is Associate Professor of Science and Technology Studies in UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS). She’s an expert in science policy and science communication. She’s worked in the UK government, run a consultancy business in policy and communication, and is an experienced researcher of public engagement of science and innovation. More on Melanie Smallman: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/sts/smallman In this interview, Melanie talks about the research behind her popular paper: Smallman, Melanie. 2018. “Science to the rescue or contingent progress? Comparing 10 years of public, expert, and policy discourses on new and emerging science and technology in the United Kingdom,” Public Understanding of Science, volume 27, issue 6, pp. 655-673. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0963662517706452 We also talk about the module Melanie teaches at UCL, “Science in Government”. Details are available: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/sts/study-here/undergraduate-bsc-degrees/undergraduate-modules/hpsc0124 This interview was recorded in 2021.   Featuring Interviewee: Dr Melanie Smallman, UCL Associate Professor in Science and Technology Studies https://www.ucl.ac.uk/sts/smallman | Tw: @melaniesmallman   Interviewer: Professor Joe Cain, UCL Professor in History and Philosophy of Biology https://www.ucl.ac.uk/sts/cain | Tw: @profjoecain   Music credits “Rollin At 5,” by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5000-rollin-at-5 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0   Production information Editing and post-production by Professor Joe Cain.   Podcast information “WeAreSTS” is a production of the Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS) at University College London (UCL). To find out more, and to leave feedback about the show, visit us online: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/sts/podcast Students and staff in STS also can find on the website information about how to get involved with our programme. Tw: @stsucl #WeAreSTS “WeAreSTS” producer is Professor Joe Cain.