In contrast to debates on China’s rising status as a global scientific power, issues of China's science communication remain under-explored. As part of the GSA-China project, Dr. Joy Zhang conducted 21 in-depth interviews in 3 cities and examined Chinese scientists' accounts of the entangled web of influence which conditions the process of how scientific knowledge achieves (or fails to achieve) its civic authority.

A main finding of our study is  a 'credibility paradox' as a result of the over-politicisation of science and science communication in China. Respondents report that an absence of visible institutional endorsements renders them with more public credibility and better communication outcomes. Thus, instead of exploiting formal channels of science communication, scientists interviewed were more keen to act as 'informal risk communicators' in grassroots and private events. Chinese scientists' perspectives on how to earn public support of their research sheds light on the nature and impact of a 'civic epistemology' in an authoritarian state.

The finding is detailed in a new Public Understanding of Science article,  'The "Credibility Paradox" in China's Science Communication: Views from Scientific Practitioners'. 

The OnlineFirst version of this paper can be accessed here: http://pus.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/0963662515598249v1.pdf?ijkey=8UGzLOz2dhrBAwH&keytype=finite