Science and Society

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Putting Science at the Heart of SocietyThe
challenges for science communication Anthony
Whitehead, Director for Science Society The
Office of Science and Technology
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The Ten Year Framework
Science and Society a central part of the
Framework

• Our key priority is to move upstream
• Highlights importance that Government attaches
  to
• Openly engaging with the public on science issues
  
• Responding to public aspirations and concerns
• Stimulating a strong supply of scientists,
  engineers and technologists
• Ensuring that the supply is increasingly
  representative of the society it serves

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The Science Budget
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How we achieve this?
Working with and through other organisations
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How we achieve this?
Working with and through other organisations
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How we achieve this?
Working with and through other organisations
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How we achieve this?
Working with and through other organisations
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How we achieve this?
Working with and through other organisations
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How successful are we now?

• Mori survey 2005
• The public have a very positive view of the role
  of science in society
• 85 of adults agree that science makes a good
  contribution to society
• Importance of young people understanding science
  universally acknowledged
• Increasing participation in science centres and
  musuems
• Many also.
• Express unease at the pace of new science and
  technologies
• Want scientists to listen to their aspirations
  and concerns

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The Way Ahead

• Nanotechnology Government at the leading edge
• Public engagement started at an early stage
• Government response to independent report is
  forward looking
• Public engagement on aspirations and concerns
• Balanced view of opportunities and challenges
  central to our response

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The Way Ahead

• Sciencewise
• Develop and use good practice methods in public
  dialogue
• Outputs inform our policy making processes
• Forthcoming Government response to CST report
• Acts as a catalyst across Government
• Now a central competition
• a strategy for ethnic minority engagement
• Science Engineering Ambassadors
• Enhance the curricula and act as role models
• 8,500 ambassadors, of which 35 are women
• Diversity
• Continue to deliver the Government strategy for
  Women in SET
• Develop and deliver a strategy for ethnic
  minority engagement

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Looking to the future

• Horizon scanning
• Raise awareness
• Challenge perceptions
• Inform and improve strategy
• Strategic long term planning and prioritisation

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Spreading the wordChallenges for Science
Communicators

• Moving forward by-
• Increasing societys awareness of the
  opportunities for public engagement with science
  and technology
• Getting messages delivered by a diverse group of
  skilled communicators
• Informing young people about scientific and
  technological careers
• Helping scientists and engineers reach out and
  respond to the public
• Work closely together, pooling resources, funding
  opportunities and skills