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{{Short description|Social gathering}}
{{Infobox Organization▼
{{More citations needed|date=June 2017}}
▲{{Infobox Organizationorganization
|name = Café Scientifique
|image =
Line 5 ⟶ 7:
|size =
|caption =
|motto = "Science for the price of a coffee"
|formation = {{start-date|1998}}
|purpose = Educational, Entertainmententertainment
|region_served = Worldwide
|website = http://http://www.cafescientifique.org
}}
'''Café Scientifique''' is a [[grassroots]] public science initiative currently running in more than 40 towns 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 (establishment)|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.
 
'''Café Scientifique''' currently exists in more than 60 towns and cities across the [[United Kingdom]] and world-wide. It was the idea of Duncan Dallas, from Leeds, who was impressed by the Café Philosophique session he saw in [[France]]. Café Scientifique is a place where, for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, anyone can come to explore the latest ideas in science and technology. Meetings take place in cafes, bars, restaurants and even theatres, but always outside a traditional academic context. The [[British Council]] has helped popularise Café Scientifique in several countries around the globe. Events tend to be independently run by local organisers in many cities using variations of the "Café Scientifique" or "'''Science Café'''" name.
Many Café Scientifique organisers choose to communicate with each other by means of a centrally-managed [[mailing list]].
 
== Format ==
There also is a series of cafés run in schools. These are called Junior Café Scientifique.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.juniorcafesci.org.uk/ | title=Junior Café Scientifique Homepage | accessdate=2006-05-08}}</ref>
Typically, one monthly evening meeting is organised in a non-academic space such as a [[café]] or [[bar (establishment)|bar]] to which one or several scientists are invited to talk about their work in a topical or even controversial area. In Britain, most cafes follow a simple format <ref>{{Cite journal|last=Grand|first=Ann|date=2014|title=Cafe Scientifique|journal=Science Progress|volume=97|issue=Pt 3|pages=275–8|via=Sage|doi=10.3184/003685014X14098305289149|pmid=25549411|s2cid=39996652|pmc=10365456}}</ref> in which the speaker introduces the topic, typically for 15–20 minutes, then there is a short break, followed by a longer period of questions and discussion. Typically, speakers do not use presentation software.
 
Cafés aim to engage people in a conversation about the issues in science and technology that affect our lives and promote the cultural examination of science. Cafés are known for their informal and friendly atmosphere, and are believed to improve the image of scientists and careers in science.
 
Science is the same the world over, but cultures are very different. So Cafes have to engage and address their local culture, and they do this in many different ways. Although inIn Britain there is usually one speaker, in [[Denmark]] there are two (one non-scientist) and in France often four (as well as a band in the interval). In [[Japan]], society demands more respect should be shown to oldolder people and those in positions of authority, so questions and opinions are donesent by SMS onto a big screen, so that no one knows the age of the commentator. In Africa topics are down-to-earth – how to live with [[HIV]], avoid Malaria[[malaria]] or understand water purification. So– inand manyempower waysnon-scientists theto Cafesmore promotecomfortably aand culturalaccurately examination ofassess science byand localtechnology peopleissues, particularly those that impact on social policy making.▼
 
==History==
 
The first Café Scientifique wasin firstthe UK was organised by Duncan Dallas in [[Leeds]] in 1998, but is based on the [[Café Philosophique]] movement which the philosopher [[Marc Sautet]] (1947-19981947–1998) started in France in 1992. In the same year, the first café was started in France. In the UK, most cafés are run by volunteer organisers but this varies in other countries. In the UK, most cafés do not receive any institutional or government funding; many pay the speaker's travelling expenses by asking for donations from the audience. So cafés provide the opportunity for individuals and groups to experiment with different forms of engagement – street science, comedy, music, theatrical readings, dancing, demonstration, etc.
 
ItIn startedthe at a timeUK in the UKlate where90s, COPUS, the [[Committee on the Public Understanding of Science]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.copusproject.org/ | title=Committee on the Public Understanding of Science Homepage | accessdateaccess-date=2009-01-18}}</ref> (organised by the [[Royal Society]] and the [[British Association for the Advancement of Science]]), thought that the public did not understand science and needed to be better educated and lectured to. Newspapers considered it very odd that people should go to a café, drink wine and discuss science rather than just gossip.{{citation needed|date=April 2014}} However the public were becoming more concerned about topics likesuch as [[Mad Cow Disease]], [[GM crops]], [[cloning]], etc. As the context has changed since the late 90s, Café Scientifique has responded to the move from Public Understanding through Science Communication to Public Engagement with Research. When it started Café Scientifique was considered odd and avant-garde, however the format has since been embraced by academic disciplines, government departments, research institutes, politicians, educators and policy makers.▼
In France it was started by scientists who thought they ought to inform the public more, and in the UK it was started by members of the public who wanted to know more about science. In both countries it moved out of an academic structure into popular locations, and thereby attracted audiences.
 
Between 2003 and 2005, Café Scientifique in the UK received grant funding from the [[Wellcome Trust]]. The Trust later supported a project to support cafés in UK schools (Junior Café Scientifique<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dur.ac.uk/science.outreach/outreachschemes/juniorcafescientifiquescheme/|title=Junior Cafe Scientifique Scheme|website=Durham University Science Outreach|access-date=16 December 2016}}</ref>) and in schools in Uganda.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Mukhalu|first=Betty|date=2015|title=Café Sci East Africa: talking with young people about science and technology|url=http://eprints.uwe.ac.uk/25913/1/Cafe%20Sci%20East%20Africa%20Science%20Progress.pdf|journal=Science Progress|volume=98|issue=Pt 2|pages=189–91|via=Sage|doi=10.3184/003685015X14309161574830|pmid=26288920|s2cid=39888590}}</ref> Pupils were encouraged to choose the subjects they would like to discuss, and to organise, advertise and chair the cafés.
▲It started at a time in the UK where COPUS, the Committee on the Public Understanding of Science<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.copusproject.org/ | title=Committee on the Public Understanding of Science Homepage | accessdate=2009-01-18}}</ref>(organised by the Royal Society and the British Association for the Advancement of Science), thought that the public did not understand science and needed to be better educated and lectured to. Newspapers considered it very odd that people should go to a café, drink wine and discuss science rather than just gossip.{{citation needed|date=April 2014}} However the public were becoming more concerned about topics like Mad Cow Disease, GM crops, cloning, etc.
 
Finally,There effortshave arebeen being madeefforts to take Cafescafés tobeyond areastowns which areand problematicalcities – to the countryside, (such as [[Montana]] in the USAUS and [[Cockermouth]] in the [[Lake District,]] (UK –), to islands, ([[Corfu]] in Greece and [[Orkney]] in Scotland), –to dangerouspolitically sensitive areas, ([[Palestine –(region)|Palestine]]) and immigrantsto orunder-served gypsiescommunities in(ethnic Hungaryminority andcommunities in the UK and [[gypsy]] communities in Hungary). {{citation needed|date=April 2014}}▼
During the last decade the subject has moved from Public Understanding through Science Communication to Public Engagement and has been embraced by academic disciplines, government departments, research institutes, politicians, educators and policy makers. When it started Café Scientifique was considered weird and avant-garde, however it is now enmeshed in a huge industry.
 
==Philosophy==
{{POV-section|date=May 2014}}
 
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==Current Developmentsdevelopments==▼
What is the aim of the Café Scientifique? When the author and neurologist Oliver Sacks was asked this question after he had talked at a Café he said "The aim of the Cafes is to bring science back into culture". Whereas science was often seen as boring, difficult, mathematical and self-regulating, now it is seen as relevant, powerful, dangerous and important. It not only describes the universe, but considers climate change, maps out genes and watches how our brains function. So it is personally, globally and universally relevant.
The Internet has supported the expansion of cafés. The main website provides support for new organisers around the world and individual cafés are using their websites to expand their audience and prolong the discussion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cafescientifique.org/ |title=Home |website=cafescientifique.org}}</ref>
 
In [[Melbourne]], a recent development is 'Campfires and Science' – built on the same principles, but gathering people around the familiar setting of a campfire to learn, share ideas and get involved in doing science.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://about.hindawi.com/opinion/campfires-and-science/|title=Citizen Science: Campfires and Science {{!}} About Hindawi|date=2018-06-10|access-date=2018-06-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180610133611/https://about.hindawi.com/opinion/campfires-and-science/|archive-date=2018-06-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://mailchi.mp/greatforestnationalpark/great-forest-national-park-update-autumn|title=Great Forest National Park Update - Autumn|date=2017-05-15|work=archive.is|access-date=2017-05-15|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170515023231/http://mailchi.mp/greatforestnationalpark/great-forest-national-park-update-autumn|archive-date=2017-05-15}}</ref> By organising trips into the forest and other wilderness area, the movement hopes to bridge the gap between metropolitan areas and rural areas by encouraging the public to get involved in doing science themselves, such as surveying species and mapping using [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|drones]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/campfiresandscience/|title=(1) Campfires and Science|date=2017-05-15|work=archive.is|access-date=2017-05-15|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170515023452/https://www.facebook.com/groups/campfiresandscience/|archive-date=2017-05-15}}</ref>
▲Science is the same the world over, but cultures are very different. So Cafes have to engage and address their local culture, and they do this in many different ways. Although in Britain there is usually one speaker, in Denmark there are two (one non-scientist) and in France often four (as well as a band in the interval). In Japan more respect should be shown to old people, so questions and opinions are done by SMS onto a big screen, so that no one knows the age of the commentator. In Africa topics are down-to-earth – how to live with HIV, avoid Malaria or understand water purification. So in many ways the Cafes promote a cultural examination of science by local people.
 
▲==Current Developments==
 
Individual Cafes have many different names and often don’t require funding – they only pay the speaker’s travelling expenses by asking for donations from the audience. So Cafes provide the opportunity for individuals and groups to initiate many different forms – street science, comedy, music, theatrical readings, dancing, demonstration, etc.
 
Internet technology has provided the basis for the expansion of Cafes. The main website [http://www.cafescientifique.org] has provided support for cafes to start up in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. But now individual Cafes are using their websites to expand their audience and prolong the discussion.
 
Cafes have been set up in schools in France, Italy, Britain and now in Africa. Pupils are asked what subjects they would like to discuss, and are then asked to organise, advertise and chair the meeting, which should not take place in a classroom. Usually a speaker (younger rather than older) comes from a local university to talk at the school. Subjects can vary from Flying, Mobile Phones, and The Science of Love to Climate Change.
 
▲Finally, efforts are being made to take Cafes to areas which are problematical – to the countryside, Montana in the USA and Cockermouth in the Lake District, UK – to islands, Corfu in Greece and Orkney in Scotland – dangerous areas, Palestine – and immigrants or gypsies in Hungary and the UK. {{citation needed|date=April 2014}}
 
==See also==
Line 50 ⟶ 45:
*[[British Association for the Advancement of Science]]
*[[British Council]]
*[[Café Psychologique]]
*[[Green Drinks]]
*[[Dorkbot|dorkBot]]
Line 55 ⟶ 51:
*[[Science festival]]
*[[Science outreach]]
*[[SkeptiCamp]]
 
==References==
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==External links==
*[http://www.cafescientifique.org/ Café Scientifique Homepage]
*[http://www.sciencecafes.org 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
*[http://www.voanews.com/englisha/archive/2007a-13-01/2007-01-16-voa57-66691117/558532.cfmhtml Voice of America story on the Café Scientifique in Arlington, Virginia]
*[httphttps://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/involved/ NOVA scienceNOW] -– includes information on resources available for science cafes, including video clips
*[httphttps://www.newscientist.com/article/mg17423385.200-packet-of-crisps-with-your-cosmology.html New Scientist Article]▼
*[http://www.britishcouncil.org/science-society-cafesci-events-countries.htm Cafés organised globally by the British Council]
▲*[http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg17423385.200-packet-of-crisps-with-your-cosmology.html New Scientist Article]
*[http://www.britishcouncil.org/science-cafesci.htm British Council page about Café Scientifique] - includes some historical notes on Duncan Dallas and the Café.
* [http://www.cafescientifique.ca/ Café Scientifique Canada]
* [http://www.reseau-bds.com/modules/bars/index.php Network "Bar des sciences" in French]
* [http://www.caffescientifici.it Network "Caffè-scienza" in Italian]
* [http://sciencecafe.se/ Swedish science café website]
 
{{Science and the public|state=autocollapse}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cafe Scientifique}}
 
[[Category:Coffeehouses and cafés in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Scientific organisations based in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:1998 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Science events]]
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