*Public Seminar Series HT 2023* Truth, Science Education and Vaccines

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Abstract

For a long time, it has been widely assumed by most people in authority that vaccines are unquestionably ‘a good thing’. Too often it has been presumed that those who hesitate about vaccines or reject them are either stupid or selfish. This approach fails for two reasons, first, on instrumental grounds – treating people as ill-informed or selfish is not particularly conducive to getting them to change their mind – and, secondly, because it is intrinsically disrespectful to people. COVID-19 and earlier reactions to vaccination health scares show how important high-quality education about vaccines is. I consider what the aims of teaching and communicating about vaccination should be, and at the lessons that controversies over vaccination have for school science education and for science communication more generally.

Event Details

Monday 20 February 2023
17:00 - 18:30
Department of Education
Public
Department of Education Public Seminar Series (Hilary Term 2023)
Department of Education
Free

Event Speakers

Michael J Reiss

Organiser

Professor Sibel Erduran