Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan

A don at the University of Kaiserslautern, Germany, Prof. Sandro Keller, has advocated for training and retraining of science journalists and scientists in order to bridge the gap that exists between science, policy makers and the public especially in developing countries such Nigeria.

Keller who is Vice Dean at Faculty of Biology University of Kaiserslautern, made the appeal while delivering the 69th University of Ibadan Postgraduate School Interdisciplinary Research Discourse.

Present at the event were principal officers of the institution among whom were its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Idowu Olayinka represented by DVC (ADM) Prof. Emilolorun Ayelari.

While speaking on the topic, “The Role of Higher Education in the “Post-Factual Era”: Implications of Scientific Understanding in Today’s Society”, Keller explained that the role of scientific community cannot be overemphasized, hence all efforts must be put in place for policy makers and other stakeholders in these countries to train journalists who are the carrier of the message to the wider audience.

Keller while identifying lack of public service staff with scientific experience as one of the major problems contributing to the wide gap that exists between applications of scientific results in implementation of policies in developing nations, described mass media as a “powerful influence on forming public opinion."

He said policy makers should “learn how media work and know their constraints, scientific information reduced to a form prone to distortion, need training programs for science journalists."

Keller also recommended promotion of science education at all levels by encouraging students to think and question acquired results critically and independently.

On how to integrate science in public policy in Nigeria, Keller informed that policy makers should “together set policy goals and regulations that are scientifically justifiable, socially and politically acceptable" and not just thories that cannot stand the test of the time."

He said the gap that exists between the science and the policy makers and the public is wide as he charged scientific advisors to “communicate with public and policymakers by stating clearly assumptions, limitations, (un)certainties underlying scientific evidence."