the-BA : Call for culture change

The BA has today called for a culture change in science, with recognition and reward for scientists engaging with the public, and a climate of greater openness and public consultation on science issues.

The BA has welcomed the publication during National Science Week of two key reports: the survey on ‘Science in Society’ (carried out by MORI on behalf of the Office of Science and Technology) and ‘Policy through dialogue’ (the report by the Council for Science and Technology).

‘The time is ripe to act upon the huge public appetite for greater access to scientific information and for more meaningful involvement in those key science issues which affect our lives,’ says Sir Roland Jackson, Chief Executive of the BA.

In particular, the BA has highlighted four key areas from the two publications:

There is evidence of a real public ‘want’ for greater and enhanced involvement with science and scientists (49% of adults hear too little information on science and 79% say that scientists should spend more time discussing the implications of their work with the public);
Three in four people think scientists should listen more to what ordinary people think, and 31% feel strongly about this;
81% of adults feel the public should be consulted on decisions about scientific developments, though nine out of ten people know little or nothing about public consultation in science and some view it as simply an exercise in PR with no obvious link between the outcomes of dialogue and if or how this has informed policymaking
The survey highlights an increase in public concern over the last two years regarding the commercialisation of science.

Against this backdrop, the BA has urged action on two fronts:

a culture change in which it is part of a scientists’ normal professional activity to explain and discuss his or her work in public forums, and in which scientists’ involvement in engaging with the public is given due recognition and reward by scientists themselves and their funders
an increasing climate of openness and responsiveness among policy-makers to public input that complements and extends science-based evidence, and an increased capacity nationally for the public to engage with scientists and policy-makers on issues that interest or concern them.

‘At the BA, our single-minded focus is public engagement,’ says Sir Roland. ‘We exist to provide opportunities for scientists and lay audiences to connect face to face through our innovative Science in Society programme or via the media through the vast coverage generated from well-established cultural initiatives such as the BA Festival of Science and National Science Week.

‘In recognition of its work, the BA has been awarded a new Sciencewise project grant from the Government for the citizen x-change. This will provide a policy-focussed approach to engagement that will give non-scientists and scientists an opportunity for a voice on science and technology, as well as other issues of concern.’

Detailed information about the BA’s recommendations can be found on the BA website at www.the-ba.net/culturechange.

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