Dialogue with the Public – practical guidelines for scientists
These guidelines were written by People Science & Policy Ltd and Taylor Nelson Sofres. They were commissioned by the UK Research Councils and the Office of Science and Technology in response to the "Science and Society" report published by the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology in February 2000.
One of the most often quoted recommendations within that report was:
"That direct dialogue with the public should move from being an optional add-on to science-based policy making and to the activities of research organisations and learned institutions, and should become a normal and integral part of the process."
The House of Lords report stopped short of describing how this might be practically achieved, these guidelines aim to help people make that next step, by addressing the following topics:
- Setting objectives;
- Understanding audiences;
- Attracting audiences;
- Encouraging dialogue within traditional formats;
- Identifying appropriate techniques to facilitate dialogue; and
- Evaluation.
The guide is available from
http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/per/pubdia.htm
You might also find our evaluation guide helpful