the-BA : Public Attitudes to Science 2008

A scientist discusses their work with a member of the public at the perspectives poster session at the BA Festival of Science

Public Attitudes to Science 2008, a national survey commissioned by the Research Councils UK and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills was launched yesterday (11 March). It's the third survey in a series - the first survey (Science and the Public) was reported in 2000 and the second (Science in Society) in 2005.

The survey aims to:

Provide information about what the public thinks about science, scientists and science policy in the UK and explore why the public hold these views;
Find out about public confidence in, and understanding of, the regulation of science and science policy-making, and how the public engages with science;
Identify the purposes and impacts of some specific scientific topics;
Identify public concerns and aspirations for science in the future;
Identify whether public attitudes to science have changed since 2000/2005 and if so, identify how and why these changes might have occurred;
Compare attitudes to science in the UK with those in other scientifically developed countries.

The BA issued the following response to the results (which are available to download from the Research Councils UK website):

‘While the public’s view of the benefit of science and engineering to society is both high and growing, expressing a very positive overall view of science and engineering, the proportion saying that “scientists should listen more to what ordinary people think” remains very high and has actually increased since surveys in 2000 and 2002.

‘There is a strong public desire for scientists to explain and discuss their work, and how they are regulated, and for that communication to be rewarded.

‘The BA calls on all scientists to regard such public discourse both by direct face-to-face conversation and via the media, as a professional responsibility and as an integral part of being a scientist in today’s world.’

The launch of the survey comes during National Science and Engineering Week, which runs from 7-16 March and draws many scientists into the public domain to discuss their work with interested audiences. Over 750,000 people are expected to engage in scientific and engineering activities throughout the week. A searchable programme of events is available online.

Practising scientists and engineers wishing to gain experience of working within a media organisation so that they are better equipped to communicate their research and expertise to the public and their colleagues can apply for the BA Media Fellowship scheme. Applications for the 2008 Fellowships are now open and run until 31 March.

	Home

	News

	News from the BA

	News Archive