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Review of science communication and public attitudes to science in BritainThe full results of this research have been published in the report: Science and the Public: A Review of Science Communication and Public Attitudes to Science in Britain. The report's Executive Summary can be found at http://www.dti.gov.uk/ost/ostbusiness/puset/pas2.htmand is reproduced below: Issues in Science Communication - Policy and PracticeAt present, the main issue in science communication policy is how best to develop a dialogue between scientists, policy makers and the public, and to bring public opinion into the development of policy. The research described here is designed to inform those concerned with the development of policy and practice in science communication. Both the Government and the Wellcome Trust wish to engage as wide a proportion of the general public as possible. In all activities, this means understanding the wide range of views held by the public and the variety of ways that they could be engaged in dialogue. Otherwise, there is a danger that only the views of the scientifically assured will be heard. Research MethodThe research comprised two studies:
Science Communication ProvisionScience is communicated to the public in many different ways; however, there is a skew towards more activities that provide facts about science compared with activities that highlight the ethical and policy issues raised by science. With limited funds at their disposal, many science communicators accept that better co-ordination between themselves would help to maximise impact, but the study highlighted a reluctance to give up autonomy and submit to a broader, more strategic and co-ordinated approach. This reluctance is due in part to the conflicting objectives of different organisations (and individuals), and a tendency for activities to be 'provider driven'. By trying to improve understanding of the public's attitudes and interests, this research seeks to provide pointers as to how the wider public can be engaged in an ongoing informed debate about science. Concentrating on the differences in the potential audiences as ascertained by the research will allow science communicators to understand better what is the best way of involving different people in the debate. Public Attitudes to ScienceThis survey found that three-quarters of the British population are 'amazed' by the achievements of science. Largely this is because they can see the benefits for themselves - two-thirds agree that science and technology are making our lives healthier, easier and more comfortable. Only a fifth claim that they are not interested in science and do not see why they would be, and a partially overlapping fifth agree that the achievements of science are overrated. Eight out of ten people agree that Britain needs to develop science and technology in order to enhance its international competitiveness. The need to invest in basic research is also appreciated: 72 per cent agree that, even if it brings no immediate benefits, scientific research that advances knowledge is necessary and should be supported by the Government. Concerns were raised over the use of science and the ability of society to control science. When asked whether they thought the benefits of science are greater than any harmful effects, the response was ambivalent: 43 per cent agreed, 17 per cent disagreed, and a third preferred to give no opinion. There is a similar degree of ambivalence about politicians' motives for supporting science. Just under half of the sample (43 per cent) agreed that politicians support science for the good of the country, nearly a quarter expressed no opinion and a quarter disagreed. There is concern about Government's ability to control science. Only three out of ten disagree that the speed of development in science and technology means that it cannot be controlled properly by Government, while four out of ten agree, revealing some degree of ambivalence. Moreover, half (53 per cent) think that politicians are swayed by the media and that they should take more of a lead. There is also concern about what might go on 'behind closed doors' in research institutions. Over two-thirds agree that rules will not stop researchers doing what they want behind closed doors and over half think that scientists seem to be trying new things without stopping to think about the risks. Despite this concern, only 36 per cent agree that science is getting out of control and there is nothing we can do to stop it. In general, scientists are respected: 84 per cent of people think that scientists and engineers make a valuable contribution to society, and three quarters think that science and engineering are good careers, and that science, engineering and technology will provide more opportunities for the next generation. While two-thirds of people think that scientists want to make life better for the average person, a similar proportion agree that scientists should listen more to what ordinary people think. Attitudinal groupsA key finding of this work has been the identification of attitudinal groups within Britain. Using factor and cluster analysis of the responses to 40 attitude statements, the quantitative research identified six groups. Confident BelieversPositive, self-confident and outwork looking, the Confident Believers (17 per cent of the sample) tend to be interested in science because of the benefits it brings, and their interest in politics means that they tend to have faith in the regulatory system and believe that they can influence Government. They tend to be well off, well educated, middle aged, and more likely to live in the south of Britain. TechnophilesOne-fifth of the total, this, the largest group, is confident, pro-science and well educated in science, but sceptical of politicians. They tend to be confident that they know how to get information when they need to, although they need reassuring that the regulatory system exists and works effectively. SupportersSome 17 per cent of the total, this relatively young group tends to be 'amazed' by science, engineering and technology and feels self-confident enough to cope with rapid change. They also tend to believe that the Government has got things under control. Although they, like everyone else, express most interest in the medical sciences, they tend to be slightly more interested in the physical sciences - especially engineering - than others. ConcernedThe Concerned is the smallest (13 per cent of the total) and most female (60 per cent) of the clusters. The Concerned have a realistic and positive attitude to life but are sceptical of those in authority. Their social grade, household income and education levels tend to mirror the population as a whole, but they tend to be rather home centred. They are interested in a whole range of topical issues, and they know that science is an important part of life, especially for their children. Not SureThis group (17 per cent of the total) tends to have the lowest household incomes, the lowest level of education, and falls in social grades D and E (semi- and unskilled manual workers, and those wholly dependent on state benefits). Their views tend to be unformed: they are neither 'anti-science' nor 'pro-science'. This is largely because the benefits of science are not always apparent in their daily lives, which are constrained by low income and educational achievement. Not for MeThis group, 15 per cent of the total, mainly comprises those aged 65 and over, of social grade E women, and of slightly younger men of social grade C2 (skilled manual workers). Like the Not Sure group, they are not particularly interested in political and topical issues nor in science. However, their lack of interest in science does not stop them appreciating its benefits for the future and its importance to young people. ConclusionsAt the national level, there is lack of a framework within which people can access information about new science, assess and judge the information and its implications. The respondents in this study were unsure of how this might happen and it remains a challenge to science communicators and others. The study of public attitudes to science has identified six attitudinal clusters. Certain activities designed to communicate science are more suited to some clusters than others. By co-ordinating activities, organisations with different perspectives and objectives can begin to address certain clusters with different provisions for science communication, providing a framework for a national debate. This implies a certain degree of co-ordination and collaboration between organisations. Copies of the report and the data tables from the quantitative survey are available from:
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