Science in Society – strategic planning

People Science & Policy Ltd was commissioned to support the British Association for the Advancement of Science (the BA) in providing advice to the Office of Science and Technology (OST). PSP ran a consultation with a cross-section of people who fund and/or provide science and society activities as well as contributing to the development of the proposals.

The aim of the project was to recommend the processes the government should put in place to ensure that the science and society agenda is being properly addressed in the UK. The questions that were addressed were:

  • How can government and other players obtain an overview of the activities that are taking place?
  • How effective are these activities?
  • Are these activities meeting the needs of the various audiences and stakeholders?
  • How can those active in the field of science and society best work together?
  • How might OST manage the oversight and direction of the activities it funds directly?

The recommendations are set out below. The full report can be found on the BA website at www.the-ba.net

  1. A detailed and ongoing mapping of science in society activities is provided through an actively-managed database, in order to provide high quality, comprehensive and up to date information to the OST and to other organisations, and potentially capable of development as a UK-wide information service for the public.
  2. A nationally representative survey of the public is carried out regularly to establish the extent of participation by various groups of the public in science in society activities, as well as information on public priorities and publicly visible topics and activities, including awareness through the media. It is particularly important that both Government and providers of initiatives work from the basis of a detailed understanding of public interests and needs.
  3. Market analysis is commissioned to draw together the mapping data, new survey work and, by relating back to previous analyses, identify trends over time.
  4. A range of activities is evaluated, linked to the national survey of the public, exploring which activities are most engaging for particular groups of people. This might include evaluation of the relative awareness and impact of many small activities to single big activities.
  5. Qualitative research is carried out among groups for which there is particular policy commitment, such as women, the socially excluded and minority ethnic groups, in order to establish the best means of engaging such groups.
  6. A media monitoring service is established to support organisations engaged in developing science in society activities, so that they can be better and more immediately informed about issues of public interest as reflected in the media.
  7. An annual conference of organisers and funders of initiatives is supported, to review, discuss and respond to the mapping and survey results, to share practice and to identify areas for co-operation and collaboration.
  8. A networking fund is established to facilitate all year round networking for collaboration and co-operation between funders and providers.
  9. The OST consults periodically on its objectives and work plan for the following period, perhaps synchronised with the Comprehensive Spending Review, to ensure that its programme is informed and influenced by the perspectives of a wide range of stakeholders.
  10. The OST commissions work and offers calls for proposals based on the information available through this process, with specific panels to examine each call to ensure appropriate peer review, fairness and transparency.
  11. The OST commissions an evaluation of this process and suite of activities to inform the next cycle of activity.