Abstract

MAGALHAES, Ricardina  and  RUAO, Teresa. The image of science and scientists: portraits of a study at the University of Minho. OBS* [online]. 2018, vol.12, n.3, pp.195-223. ISSN 1646-5954.

The disclosure and dissemination of science occurs in different contexts and through various activities. However, it is at the university where the promotion of science has more potential for impact, namely by the exposition to scientific events, the scientific published works nature and the direct contact with researchers. Dissemination activities create mental representations about science among the public, which, on the whole, give rise to a more or less stable image. And from this image results a certain level of recognition and a consequent support to the activities of researchers, and to science inherently, by communities and policy makers. It is relevant, therefore, to know the perceptions about science, namely to perceive the image that the students of Higher Education have of the scientific activity – that is, young individuals to live a privileged context of contact with science. In this regard we wanted to know if the students of a university are aware of permanent contact with science; what is science for these students; how students can be brought into positive contact with science; how researchers can influence the projected image of science; and how can scientific institutions influence the perceived image of science together with students. To obtain these answers, we have conducted a pilot study by applying a questionnaire to students of the three cycles of studies of the University of Minho (Portugal), in various courses of different scientific areas. In short, we sought to understand what their perception / image of science and scientific research was in that context, in search of guidelines for quality work in science communication in Portugal.

Keywords : Science; scientific research; image of science; perception of science; University of Minho.

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