Rupert Sheldrake suggests a new experiment

Sheila Jasanoff’s article on public engagement with science (SPA, September 2007) raises several important points, not least of which was her conclusion that ‘science and technology are instruments through which we realise the most enduring aspirations of our societies’.

I agree with her that public engagement should affect the direction of research science and technology, which in practice means the way research is funded.

How can we find out what research questions are of public interest?

Why not ask? Organisations such as charities, schools, local authorities, trades unions, wildlife trusts and gardening associations could be invited to make suggestions. Within each organisation, the very possibility of proposing research would probably trigger far-ranging discussions, and would lead to a sense of engagement that does not exist at present.

A one per cent fund
I suggest that this new initiative be treated as an experiment, and that a small proportion of the government science budget, say one per cent, be set aside for research proposed by the public, through organisations and societies. This would be administered by a body independent of the existing funding councils, mainly composed of non-scientists, as in many research charities.

The one per cent fund would concentrate on projects that are not already covered by the other 99 per cent of the public science budget.

The BA could play a major role in such an initiative, helping to promote a greater public involvement in science, as well as stimulating the interest of many young people.

Rupert Sheldrake holds the Perrott-Warrick Scholarship, administered by Trinity College, Cambridge