A society that is excited by science, values its importance to our social and economic wellbeing, feels confident in its use, and supports a representative, well-qualified scientific workforce.
This consultation site supports the development of a new Science and Society Strategy for the UK, looking at the engagement of science with society in its broadest sense, including the use of science by society, science education and the diversity of the science workforce.
watch a video introduction outlining some of the issues
On 30th August Nature Networks in collaboration with the Royal Institution are hosting the inaugural science blogging conference: Science Blogging 2008 London. The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills is delighted to be suporting this event which aims to bring together science bloggers from around the world to discuss the pressing issues in science, science communication, publishing and education.
The science blogging community is growing rapidly and reaching larger audiences. What can science bloggers do to maximise their impact? Can blogging contribute to scientific research and careers? How can blogs be used to help educate the public about science? What other emerging online tools will play a role in science?
Bloggers, science writers and scientists will be gathering at the Royal Institution of Great Britain in London on Saturday to spend a day discussing these issues. The event was very popular and is fully booked now, but you can check out the website.
DIUS will be there to promote the online hub answer any questions about the consultation. Look back here for future posts.
How do we capture emerging issues effectively and feed into the communication and engagement process?
It’s a very difficult task. But it’s the challenge of all types of journalists, not just science communicators, to try to determine what is useful to, and desired by, their readers. We have advantages, though: usually, our sources are eager to share their knowledge and opinions, and don’t try to block coverage or dissemble. Despite the difficulties of public engagement, this gives us a leg up over our colleagues in other democratically important fields, such as politics and business. – Flora Graham, Science Communicator and Journalist
At the launch at Thinktank in Birmingham on the 18th July, attendees were shown a short introductory video featuring a number of leading scientists, broadcasters and policy makers:
Lord Martin Rees, Professor of Astronomy at Cambridge University, Astronomer Royal and President of Royal Society gives his thoughts on two of the questions raised by the consultation:
How should high quality engagement be recognised and rewarded?
High quality schemes should be rewarded simply by securing on-going funding. So many fantastic projects fall by the wayside in favour of ‘pilot’ schemes that stand little chance of sticking around in the long term. It seems we have a preference for the ‘new’ over the ‘tried and tested’ format, with the result that any associated learning is at risk of disappearing. Rewards should focus on recognising outstanding projects, rather than individuals, and should reflect the fact that it is not just scientists who are doing the engagement, but rather a cadre of professional people who are carving out a distinct career path in ‘public engagement’.
– Dr Gail Cardew – Director of Programmes, Royal Institution
How can we develop the scientific literacy of the science, policy and public communities?
I think the key to improving science literacy is developing the education system so there isn’t such a huge gulf between people who study science and people who don’t. Science courses need to incorporate elements which help future scientists develop their communication skills, and science in school should be taught in a way which encourages our natural interest in science, rather than stifling it. Even if people don’t pursue a scientific career, they wouldn’t be so suspicious and negative about being able to understand scientists if they were taught in a way which was engaging and helped develop a basic literacy in science. If you wait to try to ‘re-engage’ adults with science, it’s probably too late to make a big difference. – Sarah Day - Science Journalist and Broadcaster
On 30th August Nature Networks in collaboration with the Royal Institution are hosting the inaugural science blogging conference: Science Blogging 2008 London. The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills is delighted to be suporting this event which aims to bring together science bloggers from around the world to discuss the pressing issues in science, science communication, publishing and education.
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