Improving Science Communication
Through Scenario-Based Role-Plays
Preparing students and professionals
L’Aquila, Italy, 2009 earthquake
• “Not science on trail, it was communication on trial”
(Giuseppe Pellegrini)
• The role of science in society has evolved
– From generator of knowledge to implicit duty to ensure
that knowledge is understood and used effectively
– Integration of science into society
– Expectation of science communication
New Zealand situation
• Communication not embedded systematically or
explicitly in tertiary science / engineering curricula
• Unique window of opportunity for change
• Creation of a stand-alone, off-the-shelf modular
Scenario-Based Role-Play exercise for communication
to internal and external stakeholders
– Evidence based, rigorous design and evaluation framework
Scenario-Based Role-Plays
• Real-time, authentic, active
• Flexible, pace and difficulty can be adjusted on the
fly
– Complexity and cognitive load under the control of
facilitators
• Established method in other fields (e.g. business,
nursing, military)
Disaster Simulation
Media
Civil Defence
Emergency
Management
What does this
mean?
What should I
do to be ‘safe’
How can we
prepare/prime society?
Seismologists
and Geologists
Will this lead to a
future Alpine Fault
EQ?
Public
Business
Responding
to an event
What should we
do to survive,
and thrive?
Our magic bag of earthquakes scenarios…
Major Earthquake
Major
Earthquake…eventually
Number of Earthquakes
Decision
Window
Sustained period of earthquakes
(swarm)
RETURN TO QUIET
Time
RETURN TO QUIET
Scenario Tasks
• Communication of operational decisions, probability
and uncertainty to various internal and external
stakeholders
– Other experts, general public, local and national
government officials and emergency managers
• For more targeted communication SBRP exercises,
specific stakeholders can be added in
Expansion Opportunity
• Traditionally poor integration of hazard
management, Civil Defence and emergency
management with Iwi
• Research team aware of lack of expertise in this area,
but vision is to create meaningful partnerships
– Advisor Dr Dan Hikuroa (Nga Pae o te Maramatanga)
• Involved in Geothermal Exploration Exercise through
Frontiers Abroad (resource consenting)
– Consultation with the UC Ngāi Tahu Research Centre in the
near future
Research project team
• Diverse, experienced academic / operational team
• Track record of working collaboratively
UC
Emergency
Managers
Massey
Project
Team
Frontiers
Abroad
UoA
GNS
Science
Measuring change for learners
• Participants will have a higher self-efficacy about
science communication
– Self-efficacy (PCRA-24)
– Confidence in communication (SPCC)
– Perception about communication instrument available, but
not yet validated
• Quality of communication increases
– Appropriate to stakeholders information needs
– Appropriate to stakeholders’ backgrounds
• Concepts of uncertainty and probability
– Transparency of decision making
What we will produce?
• Modular design adaptable to the needs of various
different parties
– EQ scenario is core focus during development, but
emphasis is on producing a framework applicable to e.g.
•
•
•
•
Tsunami hazards in the Pacific
Biosecurity
Meteorological (e.g. Drought)
Corporate sector, business continuity planning and team
building
Project’s impact and contributions
• Students better prepared for the workforce
– Experience importance of communication as a
transferrable skill
• Upskilled professional community
• Off-the-shelf product available to the community,
including development and evaluation tools
Aim is for SBRP to become the standard practice in
the field