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The Institute of Unnecessary Research: public engagement in science through art and performance

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posted on 2023-06-08, 10:03 authored by Blay Whitby, Anna Dumitriu
The Institute of Unnecessary Research (IUR) is an international interdisciplinary group of artists, scientists and researchers, involved with innovative research, disseminated through participatory art and performance, to diverse audiences. Traditional approaches to the public understanding of science suggest that it is about encouraging scientists to explain their work to a receptive public. This is perhaps mistaken. The public is not always receptive – sometimes rightly so. Public understanding is not just a matter of being told something by an authority. Also most discussions of public understanding of science do not give an account of what ?science' is. The public is aware that information dissemination is controlled by many factors, including commerce, politics, and cultural assumptions. This is worsened by media attention to ?big science' or to scientific work that can be cynically linked to profit. In short, the ?public understanding of science movement' often seems to neglect public understanding in general. Public understanding would be a necessary precursor to the public understanding of science. The IUR engages with the very nature of what constitutes scientific research through artistic practice, directly widening participation in those debates as well as bringing about a deeper appreciation of contemporary scientific research. The word ?unnecessary' in the name of the Institute is a very important reminder that science should be driven by curiosity and not by the military or large corporations. The IUR demonstrates that we all can and should debate about the direction of research, its ethical implications, and what exactly science should be. The IUR is made up of various? departments' specific to the interests of each member of the group, and include ?Joy', ?Ethics', ?Neurofeedback', ?Tissue Culture' and ?Magic'. Past events have included performances at Shunt Lounge and The Whitechapel Gallery in London as well as science festivals, hospitals and academic settings.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Presentation Type

  • paper

Event name

Fourth Annual Science and the Public Conference

Event location

University of Brighton, UK

Event type

conference

Event date

13-14 June 2009

Department affiliated with

  • Informatics Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-06

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