Bernal and the Social Function of Science
- Alternative title
- Social Function of Science, The
- Synopsis
- Chris Freeman, the founder and first director of the Science Policy Research Unit, introduces John Bernal, the father of the protein crystallography techniques that enabled the double helix structure of DNA to be unravelled. He discusses the major impact on scientific research in the post-war industrialised economics by Bernal’s ‘The Social Function of Science’. The presentation and ensuing debate also probe the complex political pressures to which Bernal was subject between 1930 and 1960. [30 minutes]
- Series
- Vega Science Masterclasses, Series
- Language
- English
- Country
- Great Britain
- Medium
- Video
- Year of production
- 1996
- Availability
- Sale
- Subjects
- Biology; Chemistry
- Keywords
- Bernal, John Desmond (1901-1971); DNA; history of science; scientific research
Online availability
- URI
- http://vega.org.uk/video/programme/86
- Price
- free
- Delivery
- Streamed
Credits
- Director
- Peter Howell
- Writer
- Chriss Freeman
- Contributor
- Harold Kroto
- Cast
Chriss Freeman
Production Company
Sponsor
- Name
COPUS
- Notes
- Committee on the Public Understanding of Science
- Name
PPARC
- pr.pus@pparc.ac.uk
- Web
- http://www.pparc.ac.uk External site opens in new window
- Phone
- 01793 442110
- Fax
- 01793 442002
- Address
- Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council
Polaris House
North Star Avenue
Swindon
SN2 1SZ
- Name
University of Sussex
- Web
- http://www.sussex.ac.uk External site opens in new window
Distributor
- Name
Vega Science Trust
- vega@vega.org.uk
- Web
- http://www.vega.org.uk External site opens in new window
- Phone
- 01273 678 726
- Address
- Sussex Innovation Centre
Science Park Square
Brighton
BN1 9SB - Notes
- Well-established maker and distributor of more than 200 programmes on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, many of which have been broadcast. Vega’s videos aim to give a fundamental understanding of principles of nature and the physical world. Outstanding scientists/communicators are directly involved with each video so that they can guide content of the programmes. Science is presented in a natural way as an intellectually challenging discipline and the videos fill the gap in TV coverage by presenting well-informed analyses on serious science-related ethical, economic, social, health and other issues. Separate series consist of interviews with eminent scientists, science video lectures, issues of current scientific concern, the Royal Institution Discourses, scientific masterclasses, and recent research projects. Programmes available for free viewing via the website and some also for sale on DVD.
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