Transcript Factors Affecting Science Communication by Scientists and Engineers

Factors Affecting Science
Communication
by Scientists and Engineers
Survey of Academic
Scientists and Engineers
Dr Suzanne King
People Science & Policy Ltd
The Survey
• The Royal Society
• The Research Councils
• The Wellcome Trust
The Survey
• Web-based survey of 1485 research
scientists and engineers in UK HEIs
• Additional samples of
– RC unit staff
– Wellcome Trust fellows
– Royal Society fellows
• 41 follow-up in-depth telephone interviews
• Interviews with national stakeholder
organisations
What did public engagement mean?
• Promote public understanding of science
(34%)
• Highlight implications, relevance and value of
science (15%)
• Listening and understanding the public (13%)
What was the purpose of public
engagement?
• Better informed public (35%)
• Least important reasons:
– Contribute to ethical discussions (5%)
– Recruit students (4%)
What had they done in the past year?
• 74% had taken part in at least one science
communication activity
Public
dialogue/debate
Non-specialist
publication
Schools
Policy-makers
Public lecture
0
10
20
30
40
50
Who was the audience?
•
•
•
•
•
Policy-makers (60%)
Schools and teachers (50%)
Industry (47%)
NGOs (34%)
Media (33%)
How active had they been in the last
year?
• 11% very active (more than 10 activities)
• 63% active (1-10 activities)
• 26% inactive (no activities)
• 47% wanted to spend more time on public
engagement
• When asked an open question ‘why’ - 66%
said because scientists should engage with
the community
• 3% wanted to do less public engagement
Who did public engagement?
•
•
•
•
Those with communication training
Senior researchers
Those over 40
Government and charity funded
researchers
• Clinical and non-bioscience researchers
• Those in departments rated 1-5 in the
RAE
• Those in research only positions
What would encourage you to get (more) involved?
Engagement covered staff time
RAE encompassed communication
Bringing money into my department
Funding easier
Easier to organise
Relieved of other work
Career progression
Training
More support and encouragement
Department/institution awards
Part of getting professional status
Awards and prizes for individuals
0%
10%
20%
30%
A great deal
40%
To some extent
50%
60%
Not very much
70%
Not at all
80%
Don't know
90%
100%
The need for an infrastructure
• 21% if someone else initiated it they
would get involved
• 39% very/fairly difficult to get involved
The need for culture change
• Time away from research (70%)
• Career depends on RAE and bringing in
money to department
• Scientists who do PE less well regarded
by peers (20% agreed but 54%
disagreed)
• Reinforced negative stereotypes of
women