Xiaoxin ZHANG, National Academy of Innovation Strategy,China Association for Science and Technology, China
Scientists have played an important role in the fight against the Covid-19 epidemic in China. In particular, medical and health experts played an important role in developing prevention strategies, dismantling rumors, disseminating information, disseminating scientific knowledge and developing vaccines. With the help of social media platforms, Chinese scientists descended from the altar isolated from the public, come out of ivory towers in their labs and stood before the Chinese public, making online scientific communication. As can be seen, the role of scientists has been shifted from researchers to social activists, and from a "role model" to a "common member" of the public. During the epidemic, the transformation of the role of scientists influenced the Chinese public's understanding of science and the acceptance of scientific knowledge and perception of Chinese scientists and it has exerted a reciprocal influence on the scientific and technological policy of the Chinese government. This moment in history, it will influence how to build the identity of Chinese scientists in the future. Before the epidemic, the Chinese people did not understand and trust science, and did not know much about Chinese scientists. Therefore, from the case study and data analysis, we take several Chinese scientists to analyze the transition of their roles during the pandemics. Additionally, we examine the relationship between the role of scientists and national policy in China to emphasize the importance of scientists in the development of science, technology and civilization, and to provide references for the construction of identity and the management of the roles of Chinese scientists.