Factors affecting science communication by scientists and engineers

1
Factors affecting science communication by
scientists and engineers

• Dr Darren Bhattachary, Royal Society

2
The study

• Background
• The 2004 Conference
• Institutional context
• Royal Society, Research Councils UK and Wellcome
  Trust
• Aims
• Views, behaviours and attitudes of scientists and
  engineers to science communication
• Evidence to help create a workable system to
  recognise and reward activity
• Approach
• Survey of representative sample 1485 researchers
  in HEIs
• 41 telephone interviews
• Consultative group
• Reports
• www.royalsoc.ac.uk/survey

3
Attitudes

• PUS as primary reason to engage 34 top
  response
• Listening to and understanding public - 13
• Relevance of science to everyday life main
  issue 64
• Social and ethical issues 49
• Most important audiences
• Policy makers 60
• Schools 50
• Industry 47
• Public 39
• Journalists 31

4
Behaviours

• Activity profiles
• 74 one activity last year
• No activity - 26 1-10 activities - 63 10
  activities - 11
• No activity subgroup 53 like to spend more
  time (consistent across other sub groups)
• Less activity 3
• Just do not want to get involved - 6
• More PE undertaken by
• Senior than junior
• RAE 1-5 star than 5 star
• Research and teaching than research only
• Government or charity funded than RCs
• Previous training

5
Barriers

• Survey
• Time on research 64
• Less well regarded by other scientists 20
• Peer pressure 3
• Interviews
• Light and fluffy
• Not good enough for academic career
• Altruistic
• Not a high priority

6
Incentives

• More money - departments 81
• Grants to cover staff time -78
• Help with career 83
• HoD support - 73
• Awards for departments 56 individuals 39
• Funders should support - 62 net agree
• Simplified grants - 75
• Easier to get funds - 72
• Other organised -69
• Leadership in individual universities/ other
  science institutions

7
Conclusions

• PE ambiguous
• Research culture
• Younger scientists
• Support systems
• Rewards and recognition
• Coordination
• Not a priority activity but not unimportant
• What does it mean to be a scientist cultural and
  systemic issues
• Impact