'Glocal' Approach Makes Global Knowledge Local

In this opinion piece, published on the SciDev.net website, Latin American science communicator and researcher Julia Tagüeña makes the case that science needs to "go glocal" if it is to reach diverse ethnic communities. She outlines an approach to science communication that centres around presenting global knowledge within a local context that respects human rights.

Having briefly outlined the history of how the term "glocal" emerged and came to be applied within the scientific context, Tagüeña explains why inclusive scientific communication is important. Although there is a tension between globalisation and local cultures, she argues that the commitment to scientific rigour cannot translate into presentation of data in a way that leads the reader or listener to conclude that science presents final and unalterable truth. Instead, "[r]ational arguments should be presented in a way that takes into account the meaning that different societies accord natural phenomena."

The following excerpt illustrates the sort of alternative vision she is embracing: "A glocal approach would take the global system of health and vaccines to isolated ethnic groups, together with anthropologists and science communicators who understand the local way of life. These communicators would work with locals (preferably in their original languages) to explore why they can trust medicine and how some simple changes in their domestic routines might improve their health. In the process, we may learn of traditional methods that are useful to our modern society."

Tagüeña suggests that science museums can be used as a forum for glocalisation. "For example, when establishing the Museo Chiapas de Ciencia y Tecnología (Chiapas Museum of Science and Technology) in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico, my first step was to meet local groups and identify their interests - social and artistic as well as scientific. Each of the museum's three halls - universe, life and technology - uses Chiapas as a common reference: why does Chiapas have so many earthquakes?..."

She also implies that integrating the glocalisation strategy into scientific discourse can embrace advocacy as well as the dissemination of information. Alan Leshner, chief executive officer of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and executive publisher of Science, articulates the vision as follows: "This strategy involves taking a global issue and making it meaningful to society at the local level. Scientists and citizen advocates should recruit their non-science friends and neighbours to promote science funding to decision-makers....The appeal should be locally focused for two important reasons: policymakers often seem to listen better in their home districts...and they need to see clearly that science funding is not only a national, but a local issue for all their constituents, not just those who are scientists."

Editor's note: The author guides those interested to the following related editorial: "Glocal" Science Advocacy, by Alan I. Leshner, Science, February 15 2008: Vol. 319. no. 5865, p. 877.