Lost in Translation? The Threat That Uncertain "Science" Is Becoming Crude, Certain, and Racist Policy

• In Event: Moscone Center West Roundtable Session 6
  In Roundtable Session: Science, Surveillance, and Educational Politics

Abstract

The concept of policy translation has been coined to describe a process whereby complex, uncertain and contested ideas take on a new life in popular science, media and policy debate where they are presented as revolutionary scientific breakthroughs with wide-ranging social and political consequences (McGimpsey et al, 2017). This paper examines recent claims about the genetic basis of intelligence and finds a clear case of policy translation with the potential to defend and extend existing inequities in educational achievement and experience, especially in relation to issues of social class and race inequity.

Authors

• Claire E. Crawford, University of Birmingham

• David Gillborn, The University of Birmingham

• Ian McGimpsey, University of Birmingham