Science on Stage: Expert Advice as Public Drama

“A useful contribution to discussions of methodologies for examining the role of scientific experts in public policy debates.”—New Genetics and Society

Behind today’s headlines stands an unobtrusive army of science advisors—panels of scientific, medical, and engineering experts evaluate the safety of the food we eat, the drugs we take, and the cars we drive. This book studies, theoretically and empirically, the social process through which the credibility of expert advice is produced, challenged, and sustained.

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Presents a study of the special process through which the credibility of expert advice is produced, challenged, and sustained. Analyzes science advice as a form of performance, examining how advisory bodies, especially the National Academy of Sciences, work to bring authoritative advice to the public stage. Reframes three specific controversies on diet and health, providing new insights into the social dimensions of scientific writing. The author teaches science and technology studies at Cornell University. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Stephen Hilgartner is Assistant Professor in the Department of Science and Technology Studies at Cornell University.