In an article from Lucy Avaramidou (RUG) and Justin Dillon, the authors argue that education reform (in the UK) is necessary. While the data quoted pertains to the UK, I think the observations are much more general:
- the vast majority of the public have not had an education in science that has adequately prepared them for the pandemic or to engage with the far more threatening issue of climate change.
- Substantial numbers of people around the world refuse to be vaccinated
- Many politicians cannot follow the science on Covid-19 and some do not understand basic scientific concepts or how science works
- Climate change denial is also common, and scientists are openly distrusted, abused and undermined by those who should know better.
During the pandemic I worked as a projectleader Outreach at Science LinX (SLX), a part of the faculty of Science and Engineering of the RUG. While I value the work this group does, In this group I saw a lot of nice, innovative work done, that is virtually unknown in the department. This is a pity, since this could really contribute to science literacy in the North.
[This is an old post, which I never finished, till now.]