Café Scientifique is a grassroots public science initiative currently running in 42 cities across the United Kingdom and cities in other countries. At least twelve cafés outside the UK are organised by the British Council alone. Similar but independent events have also sprung up in many cities using variations of the "Café Scientifique" or "Science Café" monikers. Typically, one monthly evening meeting is organised in a café or bar to which one or several scientists are invited to talk in laymen's terms about their work in a topical or even controversial area. The events are known for their informal and friendly atmosphere, and are believed to improve the image of scientists and careers in science. Cafe Scientifique aims to demystify scientific research for the general public and empower non-scientists to more comfortably and accurately assess science and technology issues, particularly those that impact on social policy making.
Many Café Scientifique organisers choose to communicate with each other by means of a centrally-managed mailing list.
There also is a series of cafés run in schools. These are called Junior Café Scientifique.[1]
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History
Café Scientifique was first organised by Duncan Dallas in Leeds in 1998, but is based on the Café Philosophique movement which the philosopher Marc Sautet (1947-1998) started in France in 1992.
See also
- British Association for the Advancement of Science
- British Council
- dorkBot
- Science festival
- Science outreach
References
- ^ "Junior Café Scientifique Homepage". http://www.juniorcafesci.org.uk/. Retrieved 2006-05-08.
External links
- Café Scientifique Homepage
- sciencecafes.org - a website for the community of science cafes in the US, with information on finding cafes, presenting at a cafe, and starting your own
- Voice of America story on the Café Scientifique in Arlington, Virginia
- NOVA scienceNOW - includes information on resources available for science cafes, including video clips
- Cafés organised globally by the British Council
- New Scientist Article
- British Council page about Café Scientifique - includes some historical notes on Duncan Dallas and the Café.
- Café Scientifique Canada
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