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Department of Science and Technology Studies

Cornell University Cornell University Cornell University Science and Technology Studies

Bruce Lewenstein


Moog

Moog

car-engine

Car Engine

Nuclear-Protest

Nuclear Protest

nuclear-power-station

Nuclear Power Station

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Viewing Eclipse Circa 1930

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Bruce Lewenstein

Professor of Science Communication
Departments of Science & Technology Studies and Communications

Lewensteinemail: bvl1@cornell.edu
phone: 607-255-8310
room: 334 Rockefeller Hall and 321 Kennedy Hall

Office Hours, Spring 2012: On Leave

Education:

  • Ph.D., History & Sociology of Science, and Science & Technology Policy, University of Pennsylvania
  • M.A., History & Sociology of Science, University of Pennsylvania
  • A.B., General Studies in the Humanities, University of Chicago

Graduate Fields:

  • Science & Technology Studies
  • Department of Communication

Awards and Distinctions:

  • “Most significant contribution to her education” honor from Merrill Presidential Scholar Danielle Bartolo (2010).

  • Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (elected 2002), for contributions to public understanding of science.

Websites:

Public Perceptions and Constructions
   of the Y2K Problem
Cold Fusion Archive
Guide to O.J. Simpson Murder Trial
   and DNA Typing Archive, 1988-96
 

Research Interests

Dr. Bruce V. Lewenstein is a widely-known authority on public communication of science and technology–how science and technology are reported to the public and how the public understands controversial scientific issues and "emerging technologies" such as biotechnology and nanotechnology. Trained as a historian of science, he often uses historical case studies in his research. He has also done extensive work evaluating "citizen science" outreach projects, in which citizens fully participate in the scientific process by gathering, entering, and sometimes analyzing scientific data.

Professor Lewenstein's work has two areas of impact: (1) education for practitioners of public communication of science and technology and (2) shaping of policy research on public knowledge and attitudes towards science and technology. His audiences range from local groups seeking to improve their communication, to national associations, to international settings where students and practitioners gather. Both the education and the policy work are tools of leverage, which ultimately contribute to better public understanding of science and technology.

Recent Courses Taught

  • Spring 2012 - (STS 2851) Communication, Environment, Science & Health
    MWF: 10:10-11:05, 3 Credits

  • Spring 2012 - (STS 4661) Public Communication of Science & Technology
    MW: 2:55-4:10, 3 Credits

  • Spring 2011 - (STS 2851) Communication, Environment, Science & Health
    MWF: 10:10-11:00, 3 Credits

  • Fall 2010 - (STS 3521) Science Writing for the Mass Media
    MW: 11:15-12:05 + Lab, 3 Credits

  • Fall 2010 - (STS 6661) Public Communication of Science & Technology
    T: 2:30-4:25, Credits

  • Spring 2010 - (STS 2851) Communication, Environment, Science & Health
    MWF: 10:10-11:00, 3 Credits

Selected Publications

  • "A Growth Medium for the Message: Online Science Journalism Affordances for Exploring Public Discourse of Science and Ethics," (with A. Baram-Tsabari & E. Laslo).  Science Communication, 2011, 12:847-870.

  • "Crafting Museum Experiences in Light of Research on Learning: Implications of the National Research Council's report on information science education," (with A. Shouse, P. Bell & M. Feder). Curator, 2010.  53:137-154.

  • "Open Access Publishing, Article Downloads and Citations: Randomised Controlled Trial," (with P. Davis, D.H. Simon, J. Booth & M. Connolly.  British Medical Journal, 2008. 337:343-345.

  • "Religiosity as a Perceptual Filter: Examining the Processes of Opinion Formation about Nanotechnology," (with D. Brossard, D.A.Scheufele, & E. Kim).  Public Understanding of Science. doi:10/1177/0963662507087304.

  • "Science, The Public, and Power in Nanotechnology," in Nanotechnology: Ethics and Society. Debra Bennett-Woods (ed).  Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2008, pp. 237-239.

  • "Where Do Books Fit in the Information Age?," in Practising Science Communication in the Information Age: Theorising Professional Practices.  Richard Holliman, Jeff Thomas, Sam Smidt, Einleen Scanlon, and Elizabeth Whitelegg (eds.).  Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2008, pp. 252-165.