DOCSLIB.ORG

A Tale of Two Citizens: How South Africa's Most Visible Scientists Use

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Tale of Two Citizens: How South Africa's Most Visible Scientists Use A Tale of Two Citizens: How South Africa’s Most Visible Scientists Use Twitter to Communicate with the Public by Storm E. Mudde Thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (Journalism) at Stellenbosch University Department of Journalism Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Supervisor: Prof. G. Claassen Date: April 2019 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Declaration By submitting this thesis electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own, original work, that I am the sole author thereof (save to the extent explicitly otherwise stated), that reproduction and publication thereof by Stellenbosch University will not infringe any third party rights and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. Date: April 2019 Copyright © 2019 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved 2 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Abstract In an age that is often described as being both the best and worst of times for communication, it is becoming increasingly important for science to be as decentralised as possible. One of the ways to achieve this is for scientists to make an effort to communicate and engage with other scientists as well as members of the general public. This can be facilitated via a variety of modern information communication technologies and applications such as social media. However, since there is no exact or specific formula for how to communicate on social media platforms like Twitter, some scientists are hesitant to get involved. For this reason, scientists can and should benefit from other scientists who have experience on social media, especially those who have been criticised in a public way. Therefore, this study examines how two highly visible and controversial South African scientists – Lee Berger and Tim Noakes − use Twitter to communicate with their diverse publics, despite pressure from other scientists and social media users. One hundred tweets published by Berger and one hundred tweets published by Noakes before and during periods of controversy has been collected and analysed in order to make sense of the online communication strategies of these prominent scientists. Keywords: science communication, social media, controversy, strategy, public engagement, visibility, Twitter Opsomming In ‘n era wat gereeld beskryf word as die beste en slegste van tye word dit toenemend belangrik vir desentralisasie van die wetenskappe. Een moontlikheid vir die bevordering hiervan is vir wetenskaplikes om ‘n poging aan te wend vir kommunikasie met ander individue binne die wetenskapsveld en met die algemene publiek. Dit kan gefasiliteer word deur ‘n verskeidenheid inligtingskommunikasietegnologieë en toepassings soos sosiale media. Siende dat daar egter geen spesifieke of vasgestelde formule vir komunikasie op sosiale media platforms soos Twitter is nie, huiwer sommige wetenskaplikes om betrokke te raak. Wetenskaplikes kan en moet dus leer by ander individue in die wetenskap met ervaring op sosiale media, veral diegene wat al blootgestel was aan openbare kritiek. Daarom ondersoek hierdie studie hoe twee sigbare en kontroversiële Suid-Afrikaanse wetenskaplikes – Lee Berger en Tim Noakes – van Twitter gebruik maak om met hulle diverse publiek te kommunikeer ten spyte van druk vanaf ander wetenskaplikes en die publiek. Een honderd twiets van Berger en een honderd van Noakes voor en gedurende tye van omstredenheid is versamel en ontleed om sin te maak van die kommunikasiestrategieë van hierdie prominente wetenskaplikes. 3 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Acknowledgements To my parents, Tatiana and Weyne. Thank you for teaching me the value of hard work and for supporting each and every one of my academic endeavours. To my supervisor, Prof. George Claassen. Thank you for all the time and effort you spent helping me shape and re-shape this study. To my best friend, Brendan. Thank you for being patient with me when I needed to talk the stress away. Also, for making me laugh whenever the pressure became a bit too much. Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 1 TO MY PARENTS, TATIANA AND WEYNE. THANK YOU FOR TEACHING ME THE VALUE OF HARD WORK AND FOR SUPPORTING EACH AND EVERY ONE OF MY ACADEMIC ENDEAVOURS. 1 TO MY SUPERVISOR, PROF. GEORGE CLAASSEN. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE TIME AND EFFORT YOU SPENT HELPING ME SHAPE AND RE-SHAPE THIS STUDY. 1 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 6 1.1) BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.2) DECENTRALISATION ..................................................................................................................................................... 7 1.3) AN ONLINE PUBLIC SPHERE ........................................................................................................................................ 7 1.4) CONTROVERSY .............................................................................................................................................................. 7 1.5) PURPOSE, AIMS AND MOTIVATION ............................................................................................................................. 9 1.6) PROBLEM STATEMENT ................................................................................................................................................. 9 1.7) RESEARCH QUESTIONS ................................................................................................................................................. 9 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 10 2.1) SCIENCE AND SOCIETY ................................................................................................................................................ 10 2.2) THE PUBLIC SPHERE .................................................................................................................................................. 10 2.3) SCIENCE POPULARISATION ........................................................................................................................................ 11 2.3.1) EINSTEIN ................................................................................................................................................................. 11 2.3.2) FEYNMAN ................................................................................................................................................................. 12 2.3.3) SAGAN ...................................................................................................................................................................... 12 2.3.4) DEGRASSE TYSON ................................................................................................................................................... 12 2.4) THE INFORMATION SOCIETY ..................................................................................................................................... 13 2.5) TWITTER .................................................................................................................................................................... 15 2.6) SOCIAL MEDIA, SCIENTISTS AND SOCIETY ................................................................................................................ 16 2.7) MOTIVATORS TO COMMUNICATE SCIENCE ................................................................................................................ 16 2.8) VISIBILITY ................................................................................................................................................................... 18 2.9) FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE VISIBILITY ..................................................................................................................... 19 2.10) PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE ..................................................................................................................... 20 2.11) SCIENTISTS AS CELEBRITIES .................................................................................................................................... 21 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 23 3.1) RESEARCH DESIGN: MIXED METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................ 23 3.2) SEQUENTIAL EXPLANATORY DESIGN ........................................................................................................................ 23 3.3) SAMPLE ....................................................................................................................................................................... 23 3.4) PHASE ONE: QUANTITATIVE DATA COLLECTION ..................................................................................................... 23 3.5) PHASE TWO: QUALITATIVE DATA COLLECTION ...................................................................................................... 24 3.6) PHASE THREE: CONTENT ANALYSIS ......................................................................................................................... 25 3.7) PROBLEM STATEMENT ............................................................................................................................................... 25 3.8) RESEARCH QUESTIONS ..............................................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Professor Tim Noakes on Character, Self-Belief, and the Search for Perfection
    PROFESSOR TIM NOAKES ON CHARACTER, SELF-BELIEF, AND THE SEARCH FOR PERFECTION Transcribed from Prof. Noakes’ presentation in Madison, Wisconsin, on Aug. 1, 2017: I have an admission to make: I've been a runner for 48 years, and today I became a CrossFitter for the first time. So, you know, if I can't lift my arms up you’ll understand. So, it was — it was really interesting to see the culture of your community, and it was quite — really exciting to see it, and I compliment you on what you're doing and what Greg has done for the world in the last few — last 10 or 15 years. It's a movement that has such potential that I hope that we will be able to grow it and extend it. And — and my wish would also be that some of the science would be able to come from you. That your own experiences could be in some way measured and interpreted as real evidence for the benefits of what Greg said: that we want physical activity and the right nutrition. And I just hope that we can do that. So, I'm going to talk today — a talk which I've evolved over the years, and it's about my own experiences and — and what you'll find, that I'm taking cause to Newcastle because a lot of the examples I use are of brilliant American athletic performances. And — and you may not know it because you live in America, but those of us who don't live in America, we see you as a nation of believers.
    [Show full text]
  • Your 2018 Guide in Partnership With
    YOUR 2018 GUIDE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH: IN ASSOCIATION WITH: WITH GRATEFUL THANKS TO: video productions Message from the organisers You asked for more, and so the second Jewish Literary Festival (JLF) is here, with a programme that’s been deemed ‘quite remarkable’. We are proud and grateful to be a beneficiary this year of the United Communal Fund of the United Jewish Campaign (UJC), as this puts us firmly on the Jewish communal calendar in Cape Town. Private donors have again rallied to support us, and while they prefer to be anonymous, we offer our heartfelt thanks to them for giving so generously. The organisations which comprise the Gardens Community Centre not only provide the venue platform for the JLF but are valuable partners. Thanks to campus manager Joanne Benjamin for her vision in ensuring that the JLF goes from strength to strength. The Jacob Gitlin Library, our anchor, partnered with us once more, and we profess deep admiration for their ongoing commitment to the world of Jewish literature. Lester Hoffman and Lindy Diamond of the Cape Jewish Chronicle provided invaluable media support in the run-up to the festival as well as on the day, and we greatly value the collaboration. Darryl Cotton put up with website revisions and updates, while Lorraine de Villiers and Kyle Richards of Opechee Design Studio deserve a medal for their patience and creativity while handling our marketing material. Thanks to the ‘power’ women at C-below the Line and Sistas Act for pulling the event together, and to our volunteers-on-the-day who enable the smooth running of sessions.
    [Show full text]
  • Faculty of Health Sciences Biennial Research Review 2008 / 2009
    Faculty of Health Sciences Biennial Research Review 2008 / 2009 H E W F T I T O W Y A T T I E S R R S E R A V I N N D U J O G R H A U N N E S B Message from the Dean This Research Review is the first of its kind for the Much of the Faculty’s current research profile Wits Faculty of Health Sciences. I am exceptionally can be attributed to the energy, enthusiasm and proud of the research in which members of the leadership of Professor Beverley Kramer who was Faculty are engaged and the aim of this report is appointed Assistant Dean: Research and Post- to share with you some of the research ideas and graduate Support early in 2008. Together with a outputs which have brought distinction to the small team, Professor Kramer has re-invigorated a Faculty, especially in 2008 and 2009. research ethos in the Faculty and has been respon- sible for many initiatives which are bearing fruit in Contributing both nationally and internationally terms of research outputs, reputation and post- to health sciences research are individual research- graduate success. I wish to acknowledge her key ers in the Faculty, as well as the members of the role in the Faculty, with gratitude. 21 Faculty Research Committee (FRC) - recog- nised research entities based in the Schools in My thanks to Professor Kramer and particularly Mrs the Faculty. The range of research in the Faculty Philippa McKechnie, Strategic Projects Assistant, is considerable and a sizable proportion of the for their enthusiasm and hard work in putting this research undertaken in the Faculty falls within publication together.
    [Show full text]
  • National Orders for UCT Four
    For daily news visit: www.news.uct.ac.za/dailynews New SRC leader loud and clear – Page 2 Monday PNewspaperaper of the University of Cape Town 3 - 16 November 2008 Volume 27#19 National Orders for UCT four The university was well represented when the President conferred National Orders last week, recognising important contributions to the country across a broad spectrum of endeavours HELEN THÉRON our UCT stalwarts were among the 29 recipients (including five posthumousF awards) who received National Orders from President Kgalema Motlanthe on Tuesday, 28 October. The Order of Mapungubwe (Silver Category) was bestowed on Professor Doug Butterworth of the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, former senior deputy-vice-chancellor Professor Wie- land Gevers, Professor Tim Noakes of the MRC/UCT Research Unit for Ex- ercise Science and Sports Medicine, and Professor Pragasen Pillay of the Department of Electrical Engineering. The Order of Mapungubwe is awarded to South African citizens for excellence and exceptional achieve- ment. National Orders are the highest awards that a country may bestow, through its president, on its citizens and eminent foreign nationals. The university has many alumni and staff who have received National Orders over the years, including lu- minaries such as Emeritus Professor JM Coetzee (2005), Hamilton Naki (2002), Emeritus Professor Peter Beighton (2002), Professor Allan (Clockwise from top) Prof Wieland Gevers, Prof Tim Noakes and Prof Pragasen Pillay were three of the four UCT scholars to receive National Orders from Cormack (posthumously, 2002) and President Kgalema Motlanthe last week. Prof Doug Butterworth (bottom left) could not attend. Professor Daya Reddy (2004).
    [Show full text]
  • Cathartic 2008 Draft
    TheCATHARTIC ALUMNI MAGAZINE | FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES | 2008 Striving for health excellence Contents 2008 has been an eventful year in South students of this university have enjoyed Africa, with significant impact on our over decades. Our initial impressions are Features Faculty. The “xenophobic” crisis resulted that the fit between curriculum content From Greece … to Rhodesia … to South in widespread health challenges and the and its products, on the one hand, and the Africa … to the USA … and back to SA, civil society response in this region was led requirements of the healthcare delivery with love _________________________2 to a large measure by our students in system, on the other, is good. And UCT climbs world rankings __________3 Installation of new VC ______________4 SHAWCO. And on both the provincial evidence that quality of our training has On the move ______________________4 and national political front, a change in improved is borne out in the high levels of Major Milestones at Groote Schuur ____6 health ministers brings new opportunities academic achievement by our students. 30 years of the Medical 10 Race_______9 for constructive engagement and Research remains firmly on the collaboration with the public health Faculty’s agenda and we now boast 20 Faculty News system. Throughout, the Faculty of Health research units and groups. In addition, six Noakes receives Order of Mapungubwe Sciences has maintained an of SA’s A-rated scientists from President Kgalema Motlanthe____5 even keel and has continued are in the Faculty; and of New cardiovascular genetics to teach and support South the 51 National Research laboratory ________________________5 Africa’s future health care Foundation chairs UCT man leads international asthma group ______________________7 practitioners with the level awarded in 2007, eight are Prof Vanessa Burch notches up a of excellence which has in our faculty.
    [Show full text]
  • A Critical Report About Emeritus Professor Timothy Noakes
    A Critical Report About Emeritus Professor Timothy Noakes This report will hopefully not only serve as evidence but provide a much deeper explanation about the situation. To avoid defamation or libel (as there is absolutely no intention of such acts), this letter will be as evidence-based as possible and in the interest of public and online safety. It will also avoid directly labeling without any substantial evidence. In a world where addressing vaccine misinformation is critical and should be done without further delay, this report should be perceived as responsible communication on matters of public importance. What is written (e.g. vaccine safety and the impact of misinformation) is based partially on my interpretation of the literature available to the public, as well as directly from the evidence cited and or from the professional discussion about the evidence. An in-depth play by play of events throughout the years will be given. All screenshots were collected on January 2, 2020 and are freely accessible using Twitter’s “Advanced Search” feature. This report will try to answer certain questions such as: 1. “Has Tim Noakes shared or expressed controversial claims in the past? If so, is this still continuing?” 2. “Are these claims, retweets and re-publications based on truthful, accurate, up to date scientific information?” 3. “If not, could these claims and re-publications be misleading, harmful or even a public health threat? Moreover, what is the true impact of such information?” 4. “Do people defend Noakes’ misinformation? If so, how trustworthy are these defenses, and do they resemble or amplify the original misinformation?” 5.
    [Show full text]
  • Paleo Solution - 273
    Paleo Solution - 273 [0:00:00] [Music playing] Robb Wolf: Hi guys. Thank you for your continued support of the PaleoSolution podcast. I also wanted to take a moment and thank two of our wonderful podcast sponsors. The first is Thrive Market. Thrive is a new online marketplace offering the world’s bestselling natural and organic products at wholesale prices. If Costco and Wholefoods online got together at a rave and got liquored up, their child would look a lot like Thrive Market. So the way that Thrive works, for less than $5 a month, about $59.95 annually, you get a membership that gives you access to more than 2500 of the highest quality food, supplement, home, personal care and beauty products. Those are all delivered straight to your door and at 25 to 50% below retail price. Orders above $49 are free but that’s only in the continental United States. RobbWolf.com followers get a free two-month Thrive Market membership as well as 20% off of your first order. So go to ThriveMarket.com/RobbWolf and you can get in on that deal. Our second podcast sponsor is Hilete. Check out Hilete’s innovative athletic apparel at Hilete.com. You’ll love HIlete and I absolutely do. You can love a whole lot more of them because if you enter the code Robb Wolf 50, R-O-B-B-W-O-L-F-5-0 you’ll receive a holy cats worthy 50% off your purchase. Thank you again and it’s time for the show.
    [Show full text]
  • UCT Is Set to Be a Hotspot for Global Warming Research
    Monday Paper 23 May – 05 June 2011 Vol. 30#0707 Newspaper of the University of Cape Town PgP 2 Pg 3 Pg 8 This edition and other editions of Monday Paper are available onlinelin at www.uct.ac.za/mondaypaper. For daily online news at UCT, please visit www.news.uct.ac.za/dailynews Africa’s leading role on climate change stage UCT is set to be a hotspot for global warming research t all of our peril should the world But he knows he has a stiff task Adiscount the part that Africa has ahead. to play in the international climate- “Part of my job will be to make change arena. “I’d argue that climate sure that UCT is the fi rst port of call change issues are as important, if not for anyone wishing to fund research more so, in Africa than in the devel- on climate change and development in oped world,” says Professor Mark Africa,” he says. New. Appointed just a few weeks ago That will be one of his two main as UCT’s fi rst pro vice-chancellor challenges, observes Hewitson. “There and director of the African Climate are a lot of different activities going and Development Initiative (ACDI), on at UCT on climate change, and we New’s comments echo exactly the are in a good position to be a leader on sentiment and driving force behind the the continent, but it requires bringing ACDI. some synergy to our efforts to be a Identifi ed as a strategic research voice on the continent,” he says.
    [Show full text]
  • Download National Orders Booklet 2008.Pdf
    Order of Proceedings PRESENTATION OF NATIONAL ORDERS OUNION BUILDINGS PRETORIA 28 OCTOBER 2008 10:30 − 12:30 1. Nominees of the National Orders and guests take their seats 2. Arrival of President Kgalema Motlanthe 3. The National Anthem 4. Word of welcome by the Chancellor of National Orders 5. Ceremonial oration by the Grand Patron of National Orders 6. Investiture of the National Orders • THE ORDER OF MENDI FOR BRAVERY • THE ORDER OF IKHAMANGA • THE ORDER OF MAPUNGUBWE • THE ORDER OF THE COMPANIONS OF OR TAMBO 7. The President, the Chancellor, the Advisory Council, together with the recipients of National Orders proceed to the upper lawns on the western side of the Union Buildings’ West Wing for a photo opportunity 8. Guests proceed to the marquee on the western lawns of the Union Buildings Luncheon Grand Patron of National Orders President Kgalema Motlanthe Chancellor of National Orders Rev Frank Chikane The Advisory Council on National Orders Ms M Burton, Mr FG Brownell, Ms S Williams-De Bruyn, Prof B Figaji, Dr J Kani, Mr AM Kathrada, Prof C Landman Ms R Mompati, Bishop M Mpumlwana, Mr MMTB Msimang, Dr Y Muthien (Chairperson) and Lt-Gen G Ramano ii Recipients ORDER OF MENDI FOR BRAVERY GOLD 1. Thamsanqa Blessing Fihlela “Hugo Nkabinde” (Posthumous) 2. Nomava Shangase (Posthumous) ORDER OF IKHAMANGA SILVER 3. Peter Henry Abrahams 4. Ronnie Govender 5. Bryan Habana 6. Alfred Hutchinson (Posthumous) 7. Barbara Jurgens 8. Keorapetse William Kgositsile 9. Sibongile Khumalo 10. Ladysmith Black Mambazo 11. Zakes Zulu Mokae 12. Percival Montgomery 13. Lionel Morrison 14. George Mxadana 15.
    [Show full text]
  • Newsletter 2008 Publisher
    July 2008 July Update for UCT Alumni living in Europe The NEWS UPDATE is published by the UCT Trust NEWS to provide news of UCT for alumni and friends Vice Chancellor bids farewell to UK Alumni INSIDE Departing Vice Chancellor, Professor Njabulo Ndebele, paid a visit to the UK in May. He spoke to over 100 UK based UCT alumni at a reception in South Africa House which was held to celebrate UCT reaching the top 200 in the World University Rankings. Prof Ndebele gave a well received speech outlining the challenges and opportunities facing UCT and South Af- rica, and this was followed by a superb musical interlude featuring three extremely talented young UCT alumni who are currently studying in the UK – pianist James Baillieu, and singers Pumeza Matshikiza and Sarah-Jane Brandon (see page 3, Talented UCT Musicians in the UK). Their stunning performance included extracts from La Boheme, Die Fledermaus and Le Nozze di Figaro, as well as breathtaking piano solos, and they con- cluded with a selection of traditional African music. Dr Max Price takes up the reins as UCT’s new Vice Chancellor at the be- UCT Alumni Beverley Thompson-Brown, ginning of July 2008. He will visit the UK later this year when alumni will Marian Roberts + Dianna Yach GSB’s MBA Programme at the VC Reception “the best in Africa” have the chance to meet him n London. More pictures on page 3 Page 2 A first for the UK UCT Honorary Graduation at South Africa House An honorary degree of Doctor of Science was conferred on Lord Wolfson of Mary- lebone by our Vice Chancellor Professor Njabulo Ndebele at a special ceremony in South Africa House, London in May.
    [Show full text]
  • Academic Freedom
    OFFICERS OF THE UNIVERSITY DEGREES OFFERED ACADEMIC FREEDOM AUTHORITIES · Undergraduate degree programmes in all faculties The university’s policy is that all members of its commu- CHANCELLOR VICE-CHANCELLOR combine a strong foundation in one or more academic nity will enjoy the freedom to explore ideas, to express OF THE UNIVERSITY disciplines with the professional skills required in the these and to assemble peacefully. UCT’s annual TB Davie · Council is the governing body of UCT, and its respon- workplace. These include numeracy and information Memorial Lecture on academic freedom commemorates MISSION sibilities include determining the mission, objectives, literacy, as well as communication skills. the work of Thomas Benjamin Davie, vice-chancellor of goals, strategies and policies for the progress of the · UCT is a leading research centre, and postgraduate the university from 1948 to 1955, and a renowned cham- UCT aspires to become the premier academic UCT awarded its first honorary degree in 1920, and has institution. It also ensures an environment conducive research is increasingly emphasised. Each faculty offers pion of the principles of academic freedom. meeting point between South Africa, the rest since presented honorary master’s and doctoral degrees to efficient, effective, economical and ethical attain- master’s and doctoral degree programmes. to around 350 local and international figures. These include ment of these goals. It is comprised of 12 members · Postgraduate diplomas with an advanced professional of Africa and the world. Taking advantage of Mrs Graça Machel Dr Max Price RESEARCH former president Nelson Mandela, retail giant Raymond appointed from within the UCT community, and 18 focus are offered by all faculties.
    [Show full text]
  • UCT Alumni News 2014/2015
    UCT ALUMNINEWS 2014/15 UCT IKEY TIGERS win Varsity Cup HUMANITIES DEAN SAKHELA BUHLUNGU VC Max Price unpacks ON MARIKANA the admissions policy UCT ALUMNI NEWS 2014/2015 CONTENTS Foreword from the Vice-Chancellor 2 News from your alma mater 4 Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation Funds Partnership to seek African Science Solutions 7 UCT celebrates 20 years of democracy 8 A tribute to one of the greatest sons of the soil 10 Remember Marikana 12 Mark Solms on Wine, Land and Transformation 14 An Admissions Policy to expand diversity 20 Always Believe in Magic 22 MISSION New chapter for retiring Humanities Dean 24 Bill Frankel and Wendy Ackerman receive Vice-Chancellor’s Medals 25 UCT aspires to become a premier academic UCT bids a fond farewell to our “Ambassador-at-large” 26 meeting point between South Africa, the rest Growth spurt for ecologist’s career 28 of Africa and the world. Taking advantage of UCT Alumni Awarded Global Social Venture competition Award 29 expanding global networks and our distinct Carl Manlan’s African Dream 30 vantage point in Africa, we are committed, Rashid Domingo, MBE – Through adversity, to the stars 31 through innovative research and scholarship, to UCT’s programme for enhancing research capacity reaches new heights 32 grapple with the key issues of our natural and UCT’s School of Dance, 80 years on 34 social worlds. We aim to produce graduates whose Development and Alumni Department – Executive Director’s report 2014 36 qualifications are internationally recognised and locally applicable, underpinned by values of We salute our donors 38 engaged citizenship and social justice.
    [Show full text]