ScienceUpFirst
ScienceUpFirstis a Canadian initiative launched to counter misinformation online, especially aboutCOVID-19.Launched January 25, 2021,[1]it brings together independent scientists, health care providers andscience communicators.[2]
Goals and history[edit]
The initiative is the result of conversations between SenatorStan KutcherandTimothy Caulfield,who were discussing ways to counter misinformation about COVID-19. In April 2021, theGovernment of Canadaannounced $2.25 million in funding for two new projects to increase uptake ofCOVID-19 vaccines,one of which was ScienceUpFirst.[3]The initiative received $2,590,682 in new funding through the Canadian Association of Science Centres from thePublic Health Agency of Canada's Immunization Partnership Fund.[4]
The groups aims at disseminating information created by its members or selected from credible sources. Starting in March 2021, it also plans to track misinformation online and post science-based content to oppose it.[5][6]In addition to recruiting athletes and celebrities, it's building a network of volunteers to increase the distribution of the selected information.[7][8]
The initiative will be especially active against misinformation about COVID-19 vaccination, which threatens to have an impact onvaccination rates.[7][9]Caulfield commented that the amount of disinformation circulating in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything experienced in decades. He hopes the campaign can get information to people looking online for reliable information.[6]
The campaign is active onTwitter,Facebook,andInstagram.[6]It tries to apply best practices in fighting misinformation that were identified by various studies on science communication and public opinion.[6]
Organization[edit]
ScienceUpFirst is organized around the Canadian Association of Sciences Centres, COVID-19 Resources Canada and theUniversity of Alberta's Health Law Institute.[1][5]Institutional partners of the initiative include theAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science(AAAS),British Columbia Centre for Disease Control,theCanadian Institutes of Health Research,and theRoyal Canadian Institute,along with a variety of community partners including19 to Zero.[10]
References[edit]
- ^abScienceUpFirst(Audio). CJAD. 24 January 2021.
- ^"ScienceUpFirst".ScienceUpFirst.Archivedfrom the original on 26 January 2021.Retrieved26 January2021.
- ^Davidson, Cole (2021-04-29)."Government of Canada funds two new projects to encourage vaccine uptake in Canada".Public Health Agency of Canada.Archivedfrom the original on 2022-11-05.Retrieved2022-11-05.
- ^Public Health Agency of Canada(2022-10-12)."Immunization Partnership Fund".Government of Canada.Archivedfrom the original on 2022-11-04.Retrieved2022-11-04.
- ^ab"How we're fighting misinformation".ScienceUpFirst.Archivedfrom the original on 26 January 2021.Retrieved26 January2021.
- ^abcdYour Morning(Video news report). CTV. 26 January 2021.
- ^abBaig, Fakiha (25 January 2021)."'ScienceUpFirst:' Social media campaign targets COVID-19 misinformation with science ".CP24.Archivedfrom the original on 26 January 2021.Retrieved26 January2021.
- ^Aguzzi, Maria Gabriela (25 January 2021)."COVID: Expertos canadienses unidos para combatir desinformación sobre la vacuna".Radio Canada Internacional(in Spanish).Archivedfrom the original on 26 January 2021.Retrieved26 January2021.
- ^Riga, Andy (25 January 2021)."COVID-19 updates, Jan. 25: Cases, hospitalizations drop – Quebec reports 1,203 infections, 43 deaths".The Montreal Gazette.Archivedfrom the original on 26 January 2021.Retrieved26 January2021.
- ^"Partners of ScienceUpFirst".ScienceUpFirst.Archivedfrom the original on 2022-09-21.Retrieved2022-10-25.