Publication Date:
2018-03-12
Description:
In public research organizations in Italy, communication and outreach, as
well as research support services, are often left to women. Consequently, the role
which female staff plays, becomes central in communication processes both inside
and outside the organization. An increasing number of female researchers have to
abandon terms like “il ricercatore” (the researcher, used in the masculine form of the
noun) or “man/month” in everyday language without fear of being diminished
because of the use of feminine, nor of being discriminated while considered
feminists. They should instead use inclusive expressions, taking into account gender,
hence communicating real images of science and scientists. On the other hand,
administrative documents should address the whole personnel, and not only to the
ubiquitous “il dipendente” (the employee, masculine noun) opposed to “lavoratrici
madri” (“mother-workers”). There is a plenty of opportunities to convey images of
science meaning that research is performed both by women and men, and that
consequences are addressed to women and men: activities with schools, seminars,
outreach events and exhibitions, institutional communication and social networks.
The responsibilities of an inclusive communication are numerous; they invest
institutions and bodies in charge with structural changes in the organizations as well
as those people who every day interact with users and participants of knowledge
processes. Training as well as a daily practice are necessary. The paper comments
some communication experiences in earth sciences, in progress at the National
Institute for Geophysics and Volcanology of Italy – INGV.
Description:
Published
Description:
139-145
Description:
1VV. Altro
Keywords:
Comunicazione
;
Genere
;
Linguaggio di genere
;
Communication
;
Gender
;
Gender sensitive language
;
05.03. Educational, History of Science, Public Issues
;
05.09. Miscellaneous
Repository Name:
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)
Type:
book chapter
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