Fostering Science Acceptance: The Challenge and Importance of Communicating Scientific Information in a Landscape of Distrust and Denial

Speaker: Jason R. Wiles, Ph.D., FRSB, FLS; Syracuse University, Associate Professor of Biology

Talk Overview:

The COVID-19 crisis continues, as spread of the coronavirus has led to hospital overcrowding in largely unvaccinated states – putting the rest of the country in renewed danger. This scenario could likely have been avoided, were it not for mistrust of science among certain populations where issues related to personal and community identity led to politicization of and hesitancy toward vaccination, masking, and social distancing measures. Similarly, the teaching of biological evolution and action on climate change have been hindered by lack of science acceptance, often in the very same populations and geographical regions. This Sweet Science Lecture will consider the history and cultures of science denial in the United States as well as evidence-based strategies for better dialogue toward hopeful science acceptance

Biography:

Promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in the STEM community has long been a commitment for associate professor of biology Jason Wiles. During Wiles’ time at Syracuse, he has been involved in various projects to help recruit and retain underrepresented students in STEM fields. In the classroom, Wiles teaches core introductory courses for students in the life sciences, and upper-division courses exploring evolution and the intersections of biology and other areas such as politics, religion and education. Wiles is primarily appointed in the Biology Department, but because of the interdisciplinary nature of his education research, he also holds courtesy appointments in the Department of Science Teaching and the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. In recognition of his teaching, advocacy and research, Wiles was honored last year as the TACNY College Educator of the Year.