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Media, metaphors and modeling: how the UK newspapers reported the epidemiological modelling controversy during the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak

Nerlich, Brigitte

Authors

Brigitte Nerlich



Abstract

The relation between theoretical models and metaphors has been studied since at least the 1950s. The relation between metaphors and mathematical modelling is less well researched. This article takes the media coverage of the foot and mouth modelling exercise in 2001 as an occasion to examine the metaphors of mathematical modelling that were proposed by the UK press during that time to make sense of this new scientific policy tool. One can detect a gradual change in metaphor use by the newspapers from conceptualizing modellers as detectives and models as mapping tools to modellers as soldiers and heroes, to modellers as liars and models as tools to distort the truth. This seems to indicate a shift in reporting from seeing models as a legitimate and "objective" basis used by decision makers to pursue science-based policies towards seeing models as tools used to legitimize increasingly difficult political decisions.

Citation

Nerlich, B. (2007). Media, metaphors and modeling: how the UK newspapers reported the epidemiological modelling controversy during the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak. Science, Technology, and Human Values, 32(4), https://doi.org/10.1177/0162243907301003

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 2, 2006
Publication Date Mar 9, 2007
Deposit Date May 9, 2016
Publicly Available Date May 9, 2016
Journal Science, Technology & Human Values
Print ISSN 0162-2439
Electronic ISSN 1552-8251
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 32
Issue 4
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/0162243907301003
Keywords Metaphor, Media, Models, Foot and Mouth Disease, Policy, Public Understanding of Science
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/704058
Publisher URL http://sth.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/32/4/432

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