Science and Society

Science and Society up to now

The UK has a long history of championing Science and Society which has included the public understanding of science, public engagement and science communication. This has traditionally been managed as ‘Science in Society’ programmes. Much progress has been made in recent years to expand the remit to include the skills of the scientific workforce, public dialogue and public attitudes.

There is widespread recognition that all these elements are required in the critical relationship between Science and Society and for British democracy and future economic success. However, there must be a more mature relationship between the communities involved – the scientists, public and policy makers. Higher quality engagement and participation by all parties and greater coordination and collaboration between those involved is now needed.

DIUS led an extensive consultation process throughout 2008/09 with the aim of developing a UK Strategy for Science and Society which would strengthen the interaction, whilst focusing on those areas which most needed action.

This strategy therefore responds to the input received in the consultation and builds on the progress of a large number of organisations and individuals in the UK who have been working in this field. It offers a shared vision of the kind of relationship needed in order to see science, in its broadest sense, restored to it’s proper place in UK culture.

This strategy is the first step towards this aspiration. It outlines a framework to realise greater collaboration between members of these groups. Bringing people together in this way will break down traditional barriers to collaboration and rationalise existing activity, placing greater emphasis on the most effective schemes, and therefore help to change cultural attitudes to science in the UK.

The value of science

Science and engineering are frequently cited as some of the most exciting and relevant parts of our culture. They underpin many of the major developments and breakthroughs – in medicine, design and construction, architecture, sport and even cooking. The capability of science, natural and social, and engineering to change lives is vast. But the drive to encourage many more young people to study science is being hampered by an inability to demonstrate effectively this relevance to everyday life and by a continuing perception that science is elitist and difficult.

In the current economic climate, science and engineering are even more important. It is estimated (see Prime Minister’s speech at the Employment Summit) that over the next 20 years up to a billion new skilled jobs globally will be created in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) related occupations. Science will be crucial to the UK’s future economic growth. It is also estimated (see UK Commission for Employment and Skills evidence reports) that the increased exploitation of research and technology will lead to more than 2.7 million new STEM jobs in the UK by 2017. Raising the skills levels across the workforce can also contribute to social mobility, increasing diversity and social inclusion.

What is the challenge?

There has never been a better time for science to contribute to good, evidence-based policy making and sound government. Science will help address the major challenges facing not only the UK but the planet as a whole – the elimination of poverty, tackling climate change and mitigating the impact of disease around the world. These are challenges for which science holds solutions.

Despite this, many attitudinal surveys, including the DIUS/RCUK Public Attitudes to Science survey, show that there is still low public trust in the outputs of science and its use by Governments and businesses, low confidence in the quality of science education and low interest in science careers.

The Strategy

The responses to the consultation ‘A vision for Science and Society showed both support for the breadth of existing activity and great enthusiasm for science amongst most parts of the population. However there was a strong desire for greater collaborative working and co-ordination between all groups and effective ways to broaden its appeal and inclusivity.

The Science and Society strategy cannot be delivered by Government or individual organisations acting alone. Nor is it intended to be a fixed view of a better future. This strategy aims to be a living, dynamic process which allows for the continual response to current and future needs.

Science and Society in the UK covers a wide range of stakeholders and delivery partners, each with its own priorities and tailored activities. To create greater coherence between existing programmes, this strategy sets out a framework where the Government plays a key role as a catalyst to bring together different communities and to maximise the potential benefits of a joined-up approach.

Making it Happen

To assist in managing this ever-changing landscape, a network of Expert Groups has been established. These bring together organisations which depend on each other to promote collaborative working, information sharing and dialogue. These groups themselves will deliver the strategy, by developing, implementing and subsequently evaluating Action Plans. This approach, which responds to oft-repeated calls in the consultation responses, is seen as the best way to deliver the step-change in cultural attitudes to science that is needed. A key role for the Groups will be to identify what is currently missing, connect existing networks, and take a strategic look at future funding and development needs.

The terms of reference for the Expert Groups define how they will deliver the strategic objectives, responding to the consultation recommendations that relate to their specific theme. Each Group will report directly to relevant Ministers on its plans and progress and the Chairs will come together to ensure that that the overall Strategy is coherent and effective.

• Science for All: Creating a culture where science is more relevant to everyday life and where public engagement activity by science, business, academia and policy is valued, recognised and rewarded
• Science and the Media: Increasing opportunities for contact and partnership working between the media and scientists in order to create a better understanding about each others’ work and produce better products
• Science and Learning: Creating an effective learning system that the science and business communities regard as fit for purpose and delivering a scientifically literate society
• Science for Careers: Raising awareness of the opportunities for those who study science, and providing increased information on the range of science careers on offer to make the scientific workforce more representative of the diversity of modern society
• Science and Trust: Promoting the underpinning of science in the UK by social responsibility and ethics. Providing independent evaluation of activities so that societal issues are reflected in transparent decision making by Government and business

The Expert Groups are not set up to deliver Government initiatives or policy. They are groups of experts critically evaluating the current systems and what steps are needed, and collectively taking responsibility on behalf of the organisations and networks represented to make change a reality.

Expert Group members will act on behalf of their organisation and their broader stakeholder/partner community and will be expected to make decisions and agree actions. Each group will have the freedom to agree the frequency of their meetings and structure of their reports.

All Expert Groups will:

• agree, review and maintain the relevant theme within the UK Science and Society Strategy
• develop an Action Plan, in discussion with Government and other stakeholders, to take forward the relevant theme in response to the Science and Society consultation
• maintain an Action Plan and report on progress in implementing and delivering it, providing advice, support and challenge to delivery partners (not applicable to Science and Learning Group)
• agree and deliver an external communication strategy for the theme
• consider and provide advice on funding balance and priorities within the theme and impacts on other themes
• establish working groups as required to tackle specific issues
• evaluate the Group’s Action Plan on a regular basis (not applicable to Science and Learning Group)
• produce regular reports to relevant Ministers
• engage with the other thematic expert groups on cross-cutting issues and to understand the impacts of activities on other themes
• escalate issues where they have implications for the delivery of the overall strategy
• address any other theme specific actions to be identified and added at first meeting as appropriate
• work with relevant stakeholders and delivery partners.
• ensure that the Group’s proposals and Action Plan are fully costed and reflect the need to secure value for money in public expenditure
• review Terms of Reference and membership (timescale to be agreed)

Measurement and Evaluation

It has historically been difficult to assess the impacts of science and society activity. In the past, one of the main surveys reflecting the impact of this activity has been the three-yearly Public Attitudes to Science Survey. As a strategy which aims to change cultural attitudes and behaviours, an early role for the Expert Groups will be to develop robust assessment methods to support their Action Plans. The evaluation mechanisms will build on the public polling already done as part of the Public Attitudes Survey and other existing studies, but will also go further in assessing the effectiveness of individual initiatives in the context of the others in the Action Plans and those of the other groups to create a picture of how the strategy is changing the landscape.