More engagement but less participation: China’s alternative approach to public communication of science and technology

Abstract

This essay critically traces the development of public engagement with science in China in the past decade and relevant scholarly studies. While confirming the country’s tremendous progress in the field achieved either by official efforts or by social media empowerment, it argues that science communication advances have not realized the public engagement with science ideal of enabling the public to participate in constructive dialogue for policymaking. However, citing recent studies on the specifics of China’s science communication, ranging from scientists’ reliance on their organization, to the consequences of attitudinal polarization, this article appeals to an alternative research agenda to broaden our understanding of the dynamic science communication process in the world’s most populous nation.