Medin and Bang have succeeded admirably in their aim to 'unsettle' our ideas about the relations between culture, human development, and normal science. Who's Asking? is a quantum leap forward in how scientists can think more deeply and effectively about cultural variations and their implications for the role of culture in human thought and social life that should prove invaluable across the social sciences, educational practices, and national policy. Written clearly and informally, it should also prove a great pedagogical tool for undergraduate and graduate education.
Mike Cole, Distinguished Professor of Communication, Psychology, and Human Development, Emeritus; Director Emeritus, Laboratory of Comparative Human Cognition, University of California, San Diego
Medin and Bang made deep and richly interwoven arguments for the value of diversity in science and science education. They show in fascinating detail both the cognitive science and sociocultural cases for diversity. In contrast to simple blind faith declarations that diversity must be good for science, this book shows why in ways that will profoundly inform the cognitive science of science, science education and social policy.
Frank Keil, Department of Psychology, Yale University
A daring and engaging book that illuminates how culturally embedded science and science education usually are. The book makes a convincing case that expanding the perspectives of science to include Native American relational ways of understanding nature will benefit both science itself and the inclusion of Native students and experts in the scientific endeavor.
Barbara Rogoff, University of California, Santa Cruz
Who's Asking? is an insightful read demonstrating the importance of incorporating cultural, indigenous and community epistemologies in science teaching and professional practice...the scope of the research goes far beyond science education. This thought-provoking book is highly recommended for anyone interested in knowledge, science, and scientific decision-making.
LSE Review of Books
This book represents a useful additional tool in thinking about...how science works...a useful set of critiques for those involved in scientific research and the related fields of science education, communication, policy, and sociology...a great resource to dip in and out of.
Journal of Science Communication
