COPUS—Spreading the Word about Why Science Matters

W do a high school teacher, a former 76ers cheerleader, a hedge fund manager, a college professor, and a former shoe designer have in common? They all spent 3 days together at a remote field station in New Mexico, along with 20 others, working to improve the understanding of how science works, why it matters, and what scientists do. The group is part of the Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS), whose members are passionate about ensuring that the public understands science. Each was drawn to COPUS for a different reason. Amy Vashlishan Murray, for example, the recipient of the 2014 Paul Shin Memorial Award, which honors individuals for contributions to the public understanding of science, teaches science to future artists and communicators at Emerson College. She is working on the “Ask for Evidence” campaign, to encourage people to think about the evidence substantiating claims that appear all around them. Cynthia Kramer, the former shoe designer and a longtime COPUS member, was inspired by her life experiences to build an alliance for science outreach: SCOPE (Science and Citizens Organized for Purpose and Exploration). She reaches thousands of people across the state of Missouri through science festivals and state fairs. Since 2012, COPUS members have met at “unconferences” to build relationships, stimulate creativity, collaborate, and freely exchange ideas. The COPUS unconference model is intended to allow the agenda to develop organically in an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect. The Sevilleta Field Station was an inspirational setting for the third COPUS unconference. Loosely structured discussions took place in the conference room and on the outdoor patio, whereas more informal interactions unfolded on hikes and around the fire at night. “To be in a wonderful retreat-like setting away from the everyday hustle and bustle of life, to talk, to listen, to learn from such interesting and diverse people is a gift,” says Barry Greenwald, a high school teacher who has participated in all three unconferences. Formed in 2006, COPUS was organized by individuals from professional societies, universities, government agencies, and nonprofits who saw the need for a large-scale cross-disciplinary effort to raise awareness about the importance of understanding science. COPUS welcomes anyone who shares its goals, and its grassroots initiatives have evolved over the years. For 2015, the core group, known as the COPUS Corps, has set its sights on the lofty goal of reaching 1 million people through a rallying event for the group. The group aims to reach a broad audience to effectively deliver a common message about what science is, what scientists do, and why science matters. AIBS has supported COPUS since its inception and shares its concern about the factors that adversely affect the scientific enterprise, such as research funding decreases. In recent years, AIBS has repeatedly heard that one of the major challenges facing the life sciences is the public’s lack of appreciation for science. “Many people see an intractable issue when they talk about the public conversation around science. The scope and breadth of the issue just seem too big,” says Sheri Potter, coordinator of AIBS’s Leadership in Biology initiative (see the Special Report in this issue of BioScience). If people understand how science works and can use both its processes and its information to make decisions, this will ultimately lead to a healthier science and a healthier society, adds Potter. All biologists have a stake in the public’s understanding of science, and they can all play a role in addressing this challenge, such as implementing new teaching strategies to address gaps in their students’ understanding, writing for their local newspaper, or talking with their congressional representatives. Gina Schatteman, a former American Association for the Advancement of Science Science and Technology Policy fellow, emeritus associate professor of physiology at the University of Iowa, and a longtime member of COPUS, would like all scientists to understand how their lives will be easier if the public understands science. “We need to maintain current broad public support for and deepen public understanding of the scientific process, because it will directly translate into better public policy decisions and ensure robust funding for science,” says Schatteman. Achieving this goal will require a coordinated effort by people from a wide variety of backgrounds to reach a diverse audience. COPUS Corps members are inviting everyone with a stake in science to promote how science works, what scientists do, and why science matters throughout 2015. Visit the COPUS Web site (www.copusproject.org) to find out how you can get involved and make a difference.