Sciencewise, the Government funded body which aims to improve science and technology policy-making by making better use of public dialogue, is celebrating its tenth birthday this year. Set up in 2004 in the wake of the fiasco that was GM foods, Sciencewise has done much within Whitehall and Westminster to advance the case for a more open, … Continue reading Sciencewise: 10/10 see you again – I sincerely hope so!
Science and Society
Avoiding Laurel and Hardy when it comes to science can be difficult for the public
An early start today finds me waiting for a flight to Belfast where I am speaking at the 9th Scientific Conference of the Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke (NICHS) charity. Just time enough to pen a quick blog then. Lucky me. Poor you. Last night I was looking at my papers for a meeting … Continue reading Avoiding Laurel and Hardy when it comes to science can be difficult for the public
Revised Science and Society Vision: A step forward?
I am in Denmark on a study visit looking at how they do innovation. More on that in a few days time I hope. In the meantime colleagues at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) sent me through the link to their revised vision, aims etc which was published on their website last … Continue reading Revised Science and Society Vision: A step forward?
Y’All: I still don’t really know what the BIS Science and Society strategy is about, do you?
I've been meaning to post this ever since it came across my Twitter feed some weeks ago. If you go on the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) Science and Society Strategy pages you'll see that they have published updated action plans for each of the 'Expert Groups' set up in 2010. These groups were tasked to … Continue reading Y’All: I still don’t really know what the BIS Science and Society strategy is about, do you?
Winston: Never has so little, been done by so many in Government on public engagement in science
Says Winston ('Lord' that is, not Churchill). Saw this interview on the Energy and Environment Managementwebsite and thought it worth posting because of Robert Winston's criticism of the Government's approach to public engagement in science. It consists of two video interviews although you can get a sense of the major points of the interview from … Continue reading Winston: Never has so little, been done by so many in Government on public engagement in science
Who would come top in your league table of public engagement in science? And who would you relegate?
They say in football that the league table never lies. Fans and players may begrudge a decision or two, or feel that luck did not go their way in a match. But even the most ardent supporter will accept their team's league position after than final game as a true reflection of how good they … Continue reading Who would come top in your league table of public engagement in science? And who would you relegate?
Willetts looks for the OMG factor in online science communication
The Science Minister, David Willetts, blogs in today's Guardian about the challenges for science writing in a world increasingly dominated by online media . He richly articulates the terms of an interesting debate and seems to convey genuine interest in the subject and a sincere wish to hear views. We must give the Online Media … Continue reading Willetts looks for the OMG factor in online science communication
Whatever happened to Science and Society? Why UK science could do with a chief listening officer.
Just occasionally the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, Science and Society website pages show a flicker of light like a far-off dieing star. This evening I returned from the TalkScience event at the British Library and noticed that an update from the 'Science for All' advisory group set up many moons ago, had been … Continue reading Whatever happened to Science and Society? Why UK science could do with a chief listening officer.
Science in a near miss with Cable but flies on…to Birmingham and China perhaps
I feel I must dedicate this blog to the gentleman who posted an online comment in response to my letter in The Times yesterday, saying it caused him 'metaphor indigestion.' I could almost hear the indefatigable voice of my English teacher, the late Brian Mitchell, behind every word.* So....like the Red Arrows at one of … Continue reading Science in a near miss with Cable but flies on…to Birmingham and China perhaps
Dialogue by numbers
I am writing this while sitting in a cafe in the exhibition area at the Labour Party Conference in Brighton. Such are the wonders of modern technology! Gordon Brown's speech is over and the crowds have more or less dispersed. All the action has moved to nearby tv and radio studios where the debate will … Continue reading Dialogue by numbers
Simon Denegri's Lay Review 