Experts say scientists have key role in public education

Scientists bear responsibility for promoting science literacy in society and should be more engaged in communicating their knowledge to the public, experts said during the World Conference on Science Literacy on Monday in Beijing.

"The world is changing fast, and we have a whole new population that needs to understand these changes. Scientists and engineers should help people cope with the changes and give them tools so they can know what will happen and be prepared to react," said Martyn Poliakoff, a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and research professor of chemistry at the University of Nottingham.

According to Poliakoff, the internet is one of the most useful ways to distribute scientific information, but scientists need to find reliable ways to help people judge which information is correct and more trustworthy.