Interactive Drama and Scientific Issues

Abstract

This chapter describes a local project in which drama was used to promote the public understanding of science. The project was essentially a grass roots initiative that evolved out of the Norwich Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), where the membership includes several professional scientists and some amateur actors. In addition, there are quite a few other members who are concerned about the moral and ethical implications of recent scientific developments, as well as the lack of public awareness and discussion of these matters. This was therefore a group of people with the ideal mix of backgrounds and skills to collaborate in devising a project which used drama to achieve 2 objectives:

• 1. To raise public awareness of these scientific developments together with the moral and ethical implications that they raise.

• 2. To enable open discussion on these matters between members of the general public and professional scientists.