Science Communication

The Science Communication Research Cluster in UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS)

We are interested in the relationships between science, technology, culture, and society, and how they are mediated: What shapes public attitudes towards new technologies like AI? How is science represented in the media and popular culture? How can science be more inclusive and accessible to diverse communities? How do emotions contribute to climate action? What role does technology have in driving populism?

We examine the emotional, cultural, sociological, political, and historical dimensions of how people think about, represent and interact with scientific and technological change, as well the structural inequalities and power dynamics that arise from these technologies and the social arrangements around them. Whether through historical analysis, cultural critique, or policy engagement, we aim for more inclusive, equitable, and socially desirable relationships with science & technology.

Key Staff

Join the conversation: reading groups

STS staff and research students promote discussion and debate through reading groups, organised by research students and open to all staff and postgraduate students.

Philosophy of Science
AI Technology and Society
History of Science
STS in Popular Culture

Occasional Papers Series

A series of papers published by the department to disseminate current research undertaken by our staff and affiliated scholars.

JBS Haldane Memorial Lectures

A regular annual lecture series held by STS in honour of JBS Haldane, a polymath in the life sciences, science communication, and science policy.

London PUS seminar series

An academic space in which to discuss the many aspects of science in public from multiple perspectives in a relaxed but rigorous environment. It is an open intercollegiate seminar concerned with the broad range of topics that fall under the headings of public understanding of science, public engagement with science, science communication, and science-in-society.

STS Work-in-Progress seminars (WIPS)

These seminars are intended as an informal venue for research students to present and discuss interesting aspects of their work. The format consists of a presentation of about thirty minutes, followed by about twenty minutes for discussion.