Documents and Links
Documents and links
2009
Science: [So what? So everything] communications campaign launched to reach new audiences on the benefits and relevance of science and engineering to all
First British Science Festival. Previously known as the British Association for the Advancement of Science Festival of Science, this week-long Festival is held each September in a different region of the UK
First UK National Science Competition for 13-19 year-olds
First UK Young Scientists and Engineers Fair (The Big Bang)
Report of the Science and Society consultation: Response summary: text only version (PDF, 0.5MB)
Report of the Science and Society consultation: Response summary: graphical version (PPT, 0.5MB)
2008
A vision for Science and Society: consultation document (PDF, 1MB)
Speech by Ian Pearson MP, Minister for Science and Innovation at the launch of the consultation on 18 July at Thinktank, Birmingham (PDF, 88k)
Press notice: Government calls on Society to have its say on Science (PDF, 184k)
Public Attitudes to Science report. The third in the series showed good progress in some areas since the 2000 and 2005 reports but concluded that more needed to be done.
Sciencewise evolves into Sciencewise Expert Resource Centre for Public Dialogue in Science and Innovation
The launch of the Beacons for Public Engagement Initiative
2007
The Race to the Top. Lord Sainsbury’s review of Science and Innovation in the UK
2006
Leitch Review of Skills
PISA Report
The STEM Programme was set up to help bring greater coherence to the STEM education landscape
The Royal Society Report ‘Barriers to scientists communicating with the public’ (PDF, 10MB) identified that science communication was not valued as a high priority activity by academics
2005
During 2004, the OST commissioned MORI to conduct quantitative and qualitative research among the UK public to explore attitudes to science and technology. The report, ‘Science in Society‘, clearly shows a largely positive attitude among the UK public about science and perception of science issue
Council for Science and Technology publishes ‘Policy through dialogue’ report which recommends establishing a corporate memory for public dialogue in the UK
2004/5
Science Media Centre established
2004
Sciencewise public dialogue programme set up by Government to improve policy making in science and technology
Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: opportunities and uncertainties. The joint report from the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering highlighted the need to consider the ethical and social issues in the development of nanotechnologies, given the experience of GM crops.
UK Resource Centre for Women in SET established to improve diversity in the workforce
The ten-year Science and Innovation Investment Framework highlighted the importance of a strong supply of scientists, engineers and technologists to the long-term health of the science base and wider UK economy. The follow up report in 2006 marked the progress made.
2003
GM Nation? Debate (PDF, 226kb)
2002
First Science Communication Conference
SET for Success (Sir Gareth Roberts’ review) found significant barriers to ensuring a good supply of researchers for the research base
2000
Science and the Public was the first Public Attitudes to Science survey which reviewed science communication and public attitudes to science in Britain (a joint report by the Office of Science and Technology and the Wellcome Trust). Two follow-up surveys have since been conducted and released in 2005 and 2008
Science and Society (House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology) – focused on ‘crisis of trust’ and need to build stronger links between scientists and other communities through greater openness and dialogue
1998
Café Scientifique started – now some forty or so meet regularly to hear scientists or writers on science talk about their work and discuss it with diverse audiences
1995
The Wolfendale Report audited current activities and recommended ways to encourage greater communication by scientists and engineers to the public understanding of science, engineering and technology
1993
Realising Our Potential White Paper (PDF, 863KB) published by government stating ‘the aim is to achieve a cultural change: better communication, interaction and mutual understanding between the scientific community, industry and government departments’.
National Science Week started. Now in its sixteenth year, National Science and Engineering Week is a ten-day festival in March which also now encompasses engineering
1985
COPUS, the Committee on the Public Understanding of Science, was established
The Bodmer Report ‘The Public Understanding of Science’ (Royal Society) (PDF, 4.4MB) prompted the ‘public understanding of science’ movement in the UK
