Overcoming the familiar barriers to public learning and understanding of science is focus of new research professorship established by the Hasselblad Foundation jointly at Chalmers University of Technology and Göteborg University in Göteborg, Sweden.
Overcoming the familiar barriers to public learning and understanding of science is focus of new research professorship established by the Hasselblad Foundation jointly at Chalmers University of Technology and Göteborg University in Göteborg, Sweden.
It is all too evident that there are huge gaps in the public understanding of science and how it relates to social issues. In recognition of the need to overcome these barriers, the Erna and Victor Hasselblad Foundation has endowed a visiting professorship in Public Learning and Understanding of Science (PLUS) at Chalmers University of Technology and Göteborg University. The purpose is to develop a research program and then apply this to improve public understanding of science.
Dr Ilan Chabay has been chosen as the first Erna and Victor Hasselblad Professor of Public Learning and Understanding of Science, a position that he will hold jointly at the two universities.
During 2006 Chalmers and Göteborg University will start a joint centre for public learning and understanding in science as a platform for researchers with different backgrounds that share an interest in this area.
“I look forward to working in Göteborg. There are many interesting initiatives here within public understanding of science and I hope to be a catalyst in ongoing work and in establishing a research centre,” says Dr Ilan Chabay.
In his new role Dr Chabay will investigate three areas:
The Hasselblad Foundation was established by Victor Hasselblad, photographer, businessman, and inventor who perfected the medium-format cameras that bear his name. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Victor Hasselblad's birth, March 8, 2006, Dr Chabay will deliver an inaugural lecture in Göteborg.
It is all too evident that there are huge gaps in the public understanding of science and how it relates to social issues. In recognition of the need to overcome these barriers, the Erna and Victor Hasselblad Foundation has endowed a visiting professorship in Public Learning and Understanding of Science (PLUS) at Chalmers University of Technology and Göteborg University. The purpose is to develop a research program and then apply this to improve public understanding of science.
Dr Ilan Chabay has been chosen as the first Erna and Victor Hasselblad Professor of Public Learning and Understanding of Science, a position that he will hold jointly at the two universities.
During 2006 Chalmers and Göteborg University will start a joint centre for public learning and understanding in science as a platform for researchers with different backgrounds that share an interest in this area.
“I look forward to working in Göteborg. There are many interesting initiatives here within public understanding of science and I hope to be a catalyst in ongoing work and in establishing a research centre,” says Dr Ilan Chabay.
In his new role Dr Chabay will investigate three areas:
- How children and adults from diverse communities learn to understand science from non-didactic experiences
- What kind of mental models form the basis of their understanding
- How they learn and use the processes of science.
The Hasselblad Foundation was established by Victor Hasselblad, photographer, businessman, and inventor who perfected the medium-format cameras that bear his name. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Victor Hasselblad's birth, March 8, 2006, Dr Chabay will deliver an inaugural lecture in Göteborg.
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