Wissenschaftler als „öffentliche Experten“ – Akteure im Wissenstransfer

The author discusses the way in which scientific knowledge and results of research are made public. He questions Gordon Shepherd’s assertion that scientists themselves are best qualified for a transmission of their results to the interested public, and rather makes a case for the expert as a mediator. In order to do so, he identifies the characteristics of science versus expertise, and defines the expert as one who, in addition to the knowledge required, also possesses communicative skill, discernment and loyalty towards her or his „clients”. In order to facilitate the communication between science and the public, he argues in favour of scientists taking over the role of experts.