Dr Suzanne Gage - Credit: Jim Moray
Dr Suzanne Gage, a lecturer from the University’s Institute of Psychology, Health and Society, has been chosen by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to receive the 2016 Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science.
Dr Gage founded “Sifting the Evidence,” a blog on The Guardian’s website in which she examines epidemiology, mental health and substance abuse. She is being honoured by AAAS for “her evidence-based approach to public engagement activities and targeting audiences who may not be actively seeking science information.”
Her podcast, “Say Why To Drugs”, which she was inspired to produce after appearing on rapper Scroobius Pip’s podcast, discusses a different recreational drug in each episode. It aims to counter misinformation and myths surrounding various substances.
Pip’s involvement in the podcast has helped Gage reach an audience of young adults who might not otherwise receive the information. Pip emphasized that the program is not meant to condone drug use.
“This is not a pro-drugs podcast, this is not anti-drugs podcast,” Pip explained, “this is pro-truth and anti-myth.”
Promoting critical thinking
The podcast, which has received over 264,000 listens, has topped the Science and Medicine chart in the iTunes store and has received support on Twitter, including from Virgin Group founder Richard Branson. It also won the Skeptic Magazine 2016 Ockham Award for Best Podcast.
Dr Gage has also travelled across the United Kingdom, speaking at “Skeptics in the Pub,” evening events hosted by local organizations to promote critical thinking. She has spoken at the Royal Institution of Great Britain and music festivals in the UK.
She engaged with younger audiences in 2011 by participating in “I’m a Scientist, Get Me Out of Here,” an online event where students meet and interact with scientists. The scientists compete with one other, answering questions about science and their research that are provided by students, who then vote for their favourite scientist. Gage won in the “Brain Zone” category and used the winnings to start her podcast.
The AAAS Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science was established in 2010 to recognize “early-career scientists and engineers who demonstrate excellence in their contribution to public engagement with science activities.”
The award will be bestowed upon Gage during the 183rd AAAS Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts on Friday, 17 February 2017.
For more information on AAAS awards please visit www.aaas.org/aboutaaas/awards/