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'''[http://cafescientifique.org/ Café Scientifique]''' is a [[grassroots]] public science initiative currently runningexists in more than 4060 towns and cities across the [[United Kingdom]] and cities in other countriesworld-wide. AtCafes least twelve cafés outside the UKhave arebeen 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'''" monikersname. 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.
== Format ==
Many Café Scientifique organisers choose to communicate with each other by means of a centrally-managed [[mailing list]].
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|url=|journal=Science Progress|volume=97|pages=275|via=Sage}}</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.
Cafes 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. Cafes are known for their informal and friendly atmosphere, and are believed to improve the image of scientists and careers in science.
There also is a series of cafés run in schools. These are called Junior Café Scientifique.<ref>{{cite web|title=Junior Cafe Scientifique Scheme|url=https://www.dur.ac.uk/science.outreach/outreachschemes/juniorcafescientifiquescheme/|website=Durham University Science Outreach|accessdate=16 December 2016}}</ref>
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, society demands more respect should be shown to older people and those in positions of authority, so questions and opinions are sent 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.and empower non-scientists to more comfortably and accurately assess science and technology issues, 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]] (1947-1998) started in France in 1992. In the same year, the first cafe was started in France. In the UK, most cafes are run by volunteer organisers but this varies in other countries. In the UK, most cafes do not receive any institutional or government funding; many pay the speaker’s travelling expenses by asking for donations from the audience. So cafes 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 | 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 likesuch as Mad Cow Disease, GM crops, cloning, etc . As the context has changed since the late 90s, Cafe 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, Cafe Scientifique in the UK received grant funding from the [[Wellcome Trust]]. The Trust later supported a project to support cafes 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|accessdate=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=|journal=Science Progress|volume=98|pages=189|via=Sage}}</ref>. Pupils were encouraged to choose the subjects they would like to discuss, and to organise, advertise and chair the cafes.
▲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 Cafescafes tobeyond areastowns which areand problematiccities – to the countryside , (such as Montana in the USA and Cockermouth in the Lake District, UK –), to islands , (Corfu in Greece and Orkney in Scotland ), –to dangerouspolitically sensitive areas , (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==
Although Café Scientifique is an idea rather than a particular place, the location is considered important to engenderkeep informalthe scientificatmosphere debate.conversational Therather cafethan settinglecture-style. isCafes selected to beare relaxingrelaxed, in contrast with a more formal lecture hall setting and everyone attending is given equal respect. The aim of the Café Scientifique is, according to author and [[neurologist]] [[Oliver Sachs]] "to bring science back into culture." Whereas science is often seen as boring, difficult and mathematical, the aim of the Café Scientifique is to make science relevant, powerful and important, addressing topics such as the universe, climate change, gene mapping and how our brains function. Cafes are assumed to engage and address their local culture. 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. The Cafes aim to promote a cultural examination of science by local people.
==Current developments==
InternetThe technologyInternet has provided the basis forsupported the expansion of Cafescafes. The main website [http://www.cafescientifique.org] has providedprovides support for cafes to startnew uporganisers inaround the Middle East, Africaworld and Asia. But now individual Cafescafes are using their websites to expand their audience and prolong the discussion. ▼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 problematic – 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}}
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://web.archive.org/web/20180610133611/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}}</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|archiveurl=https://archive.is/20170515023231/http://mailchi.mp/greatforestnationalpark/great-forest-national-park-update-autumn|archivedate=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 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|archiveurl=https://archive.is/20170515023452/https://www.facebook.com/groups/campfiresandscience/|archivedate=2017-05-15}}</ref>
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