Colloquium: What does the general public really think about You?

An analysis of research and public discussions with climate change drifters and the scientifically unengaged on what they really think about science, scientists and climate change issues. While public forums and community events tend to attract highly interested, but polarised, audiences - little research has been done with the unengaged who do not attend such events, or are losing touch with science issues. This talk will look at recent research into these groups, looking at their different attitudes and trust levels of those who are unengaged with science or have become climate change drifters, and the implications for trying to engage with them. Biography Dr Craig Cormick is the Manager of Public Awareness and Community Engagement for the Australian Government’s Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. He has previously worked as a science journalist and has taught public relations and writing at university. He is widely published on drivers of public attitudes towards new technologies, and is a regular commentator in the media and at industry and research conferences, both in Australia and overseas, on causes of public concern towards applications of nanotechnologies and biotechnologies. In 2006 he authored the report Cloning Goes to the Movies, a study of how Hollywood portrayals of human reproductive cloning influence public knowledge and attitudes, and in 2005 he authored the report What you really need to know about what the public really thinks about GM foods. He has also published several books and has won numerous awards including the ACT Chief Minister's Book of the Year Award (1999) and a Queensland Premier's Literary Award (2006).