The "Factors affecting science communication" study was commissioned by the Royal Society, with support from Research Councils UK and the Wellcome Trust, to examine the views and experience of UK scientists and engineers with regard to science communication and public engagement.
The study emerged in direct response to the BA/Royal Society Science Communication Conference in 2004, which produced several strategic recommendations to promote public engagement with science. The survey will be discussed in depth at a session at the 2006 BA/Royal Society Science Communication Conference.
Highlights:
(taken from the press release at http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/news.asp?id=4861 )
According to the scientists surveyed for the report the pressure to publish research, attract funding to their departments and build careers on 'hard research' means public engagement work, such as debates, dialogues or exhibitions, media appearances or outreach activities with schools, is not a priority. The need to spend more time on research was the top reason, cited by 64 per cent of respondents, stopping scientists getting more engaged with science communication work.
Scientists highlighted that public engagement activities were seen by colleagues as being bad for their careers. Some said that it was seen as being done by those who were 'not good enough' for an academic career, that it was 'light' or 'fluffy' and risked reinforcing negative stereotypes for women involved in these activities.
However, in spite of this, 45 per cent of respondents said that they would like to spend more time engaging with the non-specialist public about science. 74 per cent of those surveyed reported that they have taken part in at least one science communication or public engagement activity in the past 12 months.
The study found that generally, younger researchers, those in departments rated 5*' by the RAE, and those in research-only appointments, undertook less public engagement activity compared with senior researchers, those in departments rated 1-5 under the RAE and those in research and teaching positions.
In the qualitative interviews, several researchers highlighted that public engagement activity was seen by peers as bad for their career. A further message that emerged was that public engagement was done by those who were 'not good enough' for an academic career; and that public engagement was seen as 'light' or 'fluffy', and risked reinforcing negative stereotypes for women involved in such activity.
In general, respondents to the survey felt that their participation in science communication activities would be increased more through rewards to their departments rather than to themselves as individuals. 81 per cent of scientists said bringing more money into their departments would be a key incentive. And 56 per cent of respondents said that awards or prizes for departments were important, in contrast to 39 per cent who identified awards for individuals as being important. Additionally, 76 per cent said they would be encouraged to get more involved if it helped their careers.
The aim of the study was to provide evidence for funding organisations, universities and other research institutions on which they can base a workable system to reward scientists for their efforts to become involved with public engagement activities. It involved a web-survey of
1485 research scientists in higher education institutions and 41 more detailed interviews with a cross section of respondents and other key players within science policy and science communication such as social scientists, senior managers, funders and science communicators.
The key findings from the survey and interviews and the conclusions and recommendations of the Consultative Group are outlined in the report of the study, launched today. You can download the final report, the evidence and the raw data from the Royal Society website:
