Café Scientifique
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Formation | 1998 |
---|---|
Purpose | Educational, entertainment |
Region served | Worldwide |
Website | http://www.cafescientifique.org |
Café Scientifique currently exists in more than 60 towns and cities across the United Kingdom and world-wide. It was the idea of Duncan Dallas, from Leeds, who was impressed by the Café Philosophique session he saw in France. Café Scientifique is a place where, for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, anyone can come to explore the latest ideas in science and technology. Meetings take place in cafes, bars, restaurants and even theatres, but always outside a traditional academic context. The British Council has helped popularise Café Scientifique in several countries around the globe. Events tend to be independently run by local organisers in many cities using variations of the "Café Scientifique" or "Science Café" name.
Format
Typically, one monthly evening meeting is organised in a non-academic space such as a
Cafés aim to engage people in a conversation about the issues in science and technology that affect our lives and promote the cultural examination of science. Cafés are known for their informal and friendly atmosphere, and are believed to improve the image of scientists and careers in science.
In Britain there is usually one speaker, in Denmark there are two (one non-scientist) and in France often four (as well as a band in the interval). In Japan, society demands more respect should be shown to older people and those in positions of authority, so questions and opinions are sent by SMS onto a big screen, so that no one knows the age of the commentator. In Africa topics are down-to-earth – how to live with HIV, avoid malaria or understand water purification – and empower non-scientists to more comfortably and accurately assess science and technology issues, particularly those that impact on social policy making.
History
The first Café Scientifique in the UK was organised by Duncan Dallas in
In the UK in the late 90s, COPUS, the
Between 2003 and 2005, Café Scientifique in the UK received grant funding from the Wellcome Trust. The Trust later supported a project to support cafés in UK schools (Junior Café Scientifique[3]) and in schools in Uganda.[4] Pupils were encouraged to choose the subjects they would like to discuss, and to organise, advertise and chair the cafés.
There have been efforts to take cafés beyond towns and cities – to the countryside (such as
Philosophy
Although Café Scientifique is an idea rather than a particular place, the location is considered important to keep the atmosphere conversational rather than lecture-style. Cafés are relaxed, in contrast with a more formal lecture hall setting and everyone attending is given equal respect. The aim of the Café Scientifique is, according to author and
Current developments
The Internet has supported the expansion of cafés. The main website provides support for new organisers around the world and individual cafés are using their websites to expand their audience and prolong the discussion.[5]
In Melbourne, a recent development is 'Campfires and Science' – built on the same principles, but gathering people around the familiar setting of a campfire to learn, share ideas and get involved in doing science.[6][7] By organising trips into the forest and other wilderness area, the movement hopes to bridge the gap between metropolitan areas and rural areas by encouraging the public to get involved in doing science themselves, such as surveying species and mapping using drones.[8]
See also
- British Association for the Advancement of Science
- British Council
- Green Drinks
- dorkBot
- Nerd Nite
- Science festival
- Science outreach
- SkeptiCamp
References
- S2CID 39996652– via Sage.
- ^ "Committee on the Public Understanding of Science Homepage". Retrieved 2009-01-18.
- ^ "Junior Cafe Scientifique Scheme". Durham University Science Outreach. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- S2CID 39888590– via Sage.
- ^ "Home". cafescientifique.org.
- ^ "Citizen Science: Campfires and Science | About Hindawi". 2018-06-10. Archived from the original on 2018-06-10. Retrieved 2018-06-10.
- ^ "Great Forest National Park Update - Autumn". archive.is. 2017-05-15. Archived from the original on 2017-05-15. Retrieved 2017-05-15.
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: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "(1) Campfires and Science". archive.is. 2017-05-15. Archived from the original on 2017-05-15. Retrieved 2017-05-15.
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External links
- Café Scientifique Homepage
- sciencecafes.org – a website for the community of science cafes in the US, with information on finding cafes, presenting at a cafe, and starting your own
- Voice of America story on the Café Scientifique in Arlington, Virginia
- NOVA scienceNOW – includes information on resources available for science cafes, including video clips
- New Scientist Article
- Network "Caffè-scienza" in Italian