Euroscience Open Forum 2012

Every day we are confronted with scientific sounding claims; whether in advertising material, advice columns, campaign statements, public health schemes, common prejudice or celebrity health fads. How do we know what to believe?

Giving people the tools to question pseudo-science and misleading claims, helps people to transcend noise in the debate around a scientific or medical issue. Building on a packed and lively ESOF 2010 session that discussed the role of 'myth-busting' as a way to share scientific reasoning, the panel will discuss the importance of communicating not only 'what do we know?' but also 'how do we know that?' How can we popularise the universal role of science as a public tool for truth-seeking? Can critical thinking play a role in emerging democracies by creating informed citizens?