The Nova Scotian Institute of Science proudly presents the first lecture of the 2018-2019 Public Lecture season on:

Monday, 1 October

Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History

Speaker: Jeff Hutchings
Professor and Killam Chair in Fish, Fisheries and Oceans, Department of Biology, Dalhousie University

Title: Distinction between Advice and Advocacy in Science

Scientists are frequently called upon to impart knowledge within their expertise. This knowledge is increasingly communicated as advice or advocacy. Ideally, advice is impartial and independent from vested interests. Advice reflects peer-reviewed scientific consensus and uncertainty, contributing to objective evaluations of policy or decision-making options. Advocacy reflects personal values and interests. Advocates selectively frame information with the intent of favouring one policy or decision-making outcome over another. Do decision-makers and society benefit equally from science advice and science-based advocacy?