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Factors Affecting Science Communication by Scientists and Engineers

Factors Affecting Science Communication by Scientists and Engineers. Survey of Academic Scientists and Engineers. Dr Suzanne King People Science & Policy Ltd. The Survey. The Royal Society The Research Councils The Wellcome Trust. The Survey.

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Factors Affecting Science Communication by Scientists and Engineers

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  1. Factors Affecting Science Communication by Scientists and Engineers Survey of Academic Scientists and Engineers Dr Suzanne King People Science & Policy Ltd

  2. The Survey • The Royal Society • The Research Councils • The Wellcome Trust

  3. The Survey • Web-based survey of 1485 research scientists and engineers in UK HEIs • Additional samples of • RC unit staff • Wellcome Trust fellows • Royal Society fellows • 41 follow-up in-depth telephone interviews • Interviews with national stakeholder organisations

  4. What did public engagement mean? • Promote public understanding of science (34%) • Highlight implications, relevance and value of science (15%) • Listening and understanding the public (13%)

  5. What was the purpose of public engagement? • Better informed public (35%) • Least important reasons: • Contribute to ethical discussions (5%) • Recruit students (4%)

  6. What had they done in the past year? • 74% had taken part in at least one science communication activity

  7. Who was the audience? • Policy-makers (60%) • Schools and teachers (50%) • Industry (47%) • NGOs (34%) • Media (33%)

  8. How active had they been in the last year? • 11% very active (more than 10 activities) • 63% active (1-10 activities) • 26% inactive (no activities) • 47% wanted to spend more time on public engagement • When asked an open question ‘why’ - 66% said because scientists should engage with the community • 3% wanted to do less public engagement

  9. Who did public engagement? • Those with communication training • Senior researchers • Those over 40 • Government and charity funded researchers • Clinical and non-bioscience researchers • Those in departments rated 1-5 in the RAE • Those in research only positions

  10. What would encourage you to get (more) involved?

  11. The need for an infrastructure • 21% if someone else initiated it they would get involved • 39% very/fairly difficult to get involved

  12. The need for culture change • Time away from research (70%) • Career depends on RAE and bringing in money to department • Scientists who do PE less well regarded by peers (20% agreed but 54% disagreed) • Reinforced negative stereotypes of women

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