Ever wonder what it would be like to get an alternative perspective on genetics, health policy or pharmaceuticals outside of the university setting. Cafés Scientifiques offer a unique, comfortable way for everyday people to interact with top scientists and researchers.
The Cafés Scientifique is a relatively recent phenomenon that is gaining in popularity. The first Cafés Scientifiques were held in Leeds, UK, in 1998, and were based on the French concept of the Café Philosophique. In France, scientists began the movement to better inform the general populace about scientific research. In the United Kingdom, the cafés were initiated by members of the public who were interested in finding out more about science. Cafés Scientifiques gradually spread worldwide and there are currently more than 70 such cafés that meet on a regular basis to discuss recent scientific research or debate controversial topics.
To keep the environment as informal as possible, Cafés Scientifiques are hosted in a range of venues. The most common locations are bars or cafés, though some use restaurants, bookshops, theatres, or community spaces. The topics discussed vary as well, and have included cancer prevention through healthy eating and physical exercise, the role of genes in disease, the science of resolutions, vaccines, the future of energy in Canada, and — my personal favourite — how zebrafish may help us treat alcoholism.
In the past decade, the purpose of the Café Scientifique has shifted from public understanding to scientific communication and public engagement. The cafés have been embraced and supported by various academic disciplines, government departments, research institutes, politicians, and policy makers. They may have been considered avant-garde at the time of their inception but have now become a part of the scientific community. There are various Cafés Scientifiques held in the city of Toronto, organized by institutions such as the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), the Ontario Science Center, the Hospital for Sick Children, St Michael’s Hospital, and the Ontario Institute of Cancer Research.
Although in some cases there are small entry charges, the Cafés Scientifiques hosted by CIHR are free of any admission charges and are representative of the typical structure of a Café Scientifique. These cafés are devoted to health issues that concern the general public. Anyone may attend the café from undergraduate students to friends and family members of patients suffering from the conditions being discussed. The overall structure of the CIHR Cafés Scientifiques includes a moderator and a few experts on the subject. After all of the panelists has spoken, the group takes a small break for snacks and coffee and are given the opportunity to ask the speaker questions in an informal setting. The cafés offer a pleasant milieu to ask questions of all levels and have them answered by professionals.
