Forgive me for being less than convinced by these "fine words". (Where I
understand them, that is.)
Those very same players, or their predecessors, made exactly the same
commitment 25 years ago, when the Bodmer report came out. (I urge anyone who
has not read this influential report, to track down a copy on the Royal
Society's website, or ask me if you can't find it.) And the result was, as
Dom admits, that "the Public Engagement requirement has historically been
something that was ignored when end of grant reports were submitted".
Research Councils and other bodies can sign all the bits of paper that they
like, especially when arm twisted by that nice Mr Willetts, but the grunts
who do the research can conveniently ignore it safe in the knowledge that it
will hardly dent their academic careers.
MK
-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Chloe Sheppard (RCUK, Strategy
Unit)
Sent: 09 December 2010 11:40
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Science blogging and scientific outreach
Thanks Dom.
RCUK recognise that engaging the public in your research is a valid way to
help create potential impact. Therefore public engagement activities can be
included within research grant applications within the Pathways to Impact
section, providing they are tailored, relevant and appropriate given the
specific nature and focus of the proposed research. Societal impact is one
of the key areas covered under the 'Impact' umbrella and so it is legitimate
for researchers to request resources and time to undertake PE activities to
achieve their Pathways to impact.
Also, as psci-commers may be aware, a new Concordat for Engaging the Public
with Research was launched this week by David Willetts to create a greater
focus on and help embed public engagement with research across all
disciplines in the higher education and research sectors.
Signed by Research Councils UK, the UK Funding Councils, Royal Society,
Royal Academy of Engineering and British Academy , the Concordat provides a
single statement of expectations and responsibilities of research funders in
the UK. It has four principles:
1) UK research organisations have a strategic commitment to public
engagement.
2) Researchers are recognised and valued for their involvement with public
engagement activities.
3) Researchers are enabled to participate in public engagement activities
through appropriate training, support and opportunities.
4) The signatories and supporters will undertake regular reviews of their
and the wider research sector's progress in fostering public engagement
across the UK.
Supporters of the Concordat include Universities UK, The 1994 Group, The
Russell Group, Wellcome Trust, Association of Medical Research Charities,
Institute of Physics, Royal Society of Chemistry, Society of Biology and
Academy of Social Sciences.
More on the Concordat including a full list of signatories and supporters
can be found at www.rcuk.ac.uk/per/concordat
-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dominic McDonald
Sent: 09 December 2010 09:53
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Science blogging and scientific outreach
Hi all
I think Michael is being slightly more pessimistic than is necessary... only
slightly...
It is certainly true that the Public Engagement requirement has historically
been something that was ignored when end of grant reports were submitted.
But there has been a change in the rhetoric - at least - coming from RCs and
Wellcome over the last couple of years. The change at EPSRC that Michael
alludes to (i.e. moving away from specific grants for this sort of thing,
and moving towards incorporating it into research grants) means that they
are going to have to start taking this part of the process rather more
seriously, and this is something that has been happening across the RCs,
albeit very slowly. I'm sure my ex-colleagues at RCUK are composing a
response to this as I type...
To take another example, Dan Glaser from Wellcome was telling a meeting of
ASDC the other day that Wellcome are taking this part of the end of grant
report much more seriously now, and that we can start holding grant holders
to account on that.
Now these are only words, and don't butter any parsnips (so to speak), but
it might be evidence of some sort of positive change in how this is
perceived at institutional level.
Dom
Dom McDonald
Head of Public Engagement & Business Networks
Science Oxford
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-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Michael Kenward
Sent: 08 December 2010 22:32
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Science blogging and scientific outreach
This requirement was something that arose in the wake of the Bodmer report.
After initial enthusiasm, it has achieved not much.
How many projects do what they say they will do in their grant applications?
Where can we see the output?
(Anyone up for an FoI request?)
The recent government injunction on all research councils to "cease and
desists" on glossy PR has also reduced their activities on Public Engagement
in general, including Science and Technology.
Finally, EPSRC has terminated its support for specific projects in public
engagement.
Not, I think you will agree, a happy time for this sort of activity.
Next week, I will have 90 minutes to grill the chief executive of EPSRC for
a general profile. He will receive questions from me on this change of tack.
If anyone else has questions they think he should answer, just wing them my
way.
___________________________________
Michael Kenward
Science Writer & Stuff
Genetically modified words for sale
-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of J E Delany
Sent: 08 December 2010 13:50
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Science blogging and scientific outreach
Hi Viviene
ALL UK research councils require grant holders to outline how they will
address this, and with the new research assessment exercise "REF", this is
getting higher priority
Blogging could be a component alongside other activity.
Jane Delany
>-----Original Message-----
>From: psci-com: on public engagement with science [mailto:PSCI-
>[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Vivienne Raper
>Sent: 08 December 2010 13:37
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: [PSCI-COM] Science blogging and scientific outreach
>
>Hi,
>
>I'm trying to find out which - if any - grant funding bodies in the UK
>and US ask scientists to explain in grant applications how they plan to
>communicate their research results to the public, decision-makers, etc.
>
>If any funding bodies require grant-holding scientists to do outreach,
>does anyone know if blogging about your research would fulfil this
>requirement?
>
>It's for an article about science blogging and academic careers. I want
>to know if communicating your research is increasingly seen as a duty
>for scientists and, if so, whether this might make blogging a career
>positive.
>
>I was going to ring all the UK Research Councils, but thought it would
>be quicker to ask. And I might get some intelligent discussion about
>scientists blogging too! Please don't shout at me - I'm scared I look
>like I'm spamming the list.
>
>Best wishes,
>
>Viviene
>
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