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Have you seen the NESTA report evaluating the Planet Science Outreach programme? http://www.planet-science.com/sciteach/outreach/pdfs/Outreach.pdf Quoting Murphy Glenn <[log in to unmask]>: > Dear All > > Does anybody know of any research or data resources relating to learning > outcomes following "Outreach" type science shows and demonstrations? > > Specifically, I'm looking to quantify the effects of "one-off" or > "hit-and-run" style shows (i.e. outreach staff visit a school once to > deliver a science show, and don't return) vs. repeat visits or sustained > relationships with schools. Intuitively, we know the latter is more > effective in terms of learning, engagement and inspiration...but I'm looking > for any concrete evidence (feedback, evaluations, formal studies, research) > of this. > > Can anyone point me in the right direction? Any and all help appreciated. > > Cheers, > > Glenn Murphy > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: psci-com: on public engagement with science > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Keir, Scott > Sent: 29 June 2006 11:29 > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: [PSCI-COM] Factors affecting science communication: a survey of > scientists and engineers > > Dear all (with apologies for cross-posting) > > The final report of "Factors affecting science communication: a survey > of scientists and engineers" is published today at > http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/survey > > The "Factors affecting science communication" study was commissioned by > the Royal Society, with support from Research Councils UK and the > Wellcome Trust, to examine the views and experience of UK scientists and > engineers with regard to science communication and public engagement. > > The study emerged in direct response to the BA/Royal Society Science > Communication Conference in 2004, which produced several strategic > recommendations to promote public engagement with science. The survey > will be discussed in depth at a session at the 2006 BA/Royal Society > Science Communication Conference. > > Highlights: > (taken from the press release at > http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/news.asp?id=4861 ) > > According to the scientists surveyed for the report the pressure to > publish research, attract funding to their departments and build careers > on 'hard research' means public engagement work, such as debates, > dialogues or exhibitions, media appearances or outreach activities with > schools, is not a priority. The need to spend more time on research was > the top reason, cited by 64 per cent of respondents, stopping scientists > getting more engaged with science communication work. > > Scientists highlighted that public engagement activities were seen by > colleagues as being bad for their careers. Some said that it was seen as > being done by those who were 'not good enough' for an academic career, > that it was 'light' or 'fluffy' and risked reinforcing negative > stereotypes for women involved in these activities. > > However, in spite of this, 45 per cent of respondents said that they > would like to spend more time engaging with the non-specialist public > about science. 74 per cent of those surveyed reported that they have > taken part in at least one science communication or public engagement > activity in the past 12 months. > > The study found that generally, younger researchers, those in > departments rated 5*' by the RAE, and those in research-only > appointments, undertook less public engagement activity compared with > senior researchers, those in departments rated 1-5 under the RAE and > those in research and teaching positions. > > In general, respondents to the survey felt that their participation in > science communication activities would be increased more through rewards > to their departments rather than to themselves as individuals. 81 per > cent of scientists said bringing more money into their departments would > be a key incentive. And 56 per cent of respondents said that awards or > prizes for departments were important, in contrast to 39 per cent who > identified awards for individuals as being important. Additionally, 76 > per cent said they would be encouraged to get more involved if it helped > their careers. > > > The aim of the study was to provide evidence for funding organisations, > universities and other research institutions on which they can base a > workable system to reward scientists for their efforts to become > involved with public engagement activities. It involved a web-survey of > 1485 research scientists in higher education institutions and 41 more > detailed interviews with a cross section of respondents and other key > players within science policy and science communication such as social > scientists, senior managers, funders and science communicators. > > The key findings from the survey and interviews and the conclusions and > recommendations of the Consultative Group are outlined in the report of > the study, launched today. You can download the final report, the > evidence and the raw data from the Royal Society website: > http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/survey > > Best wishes > > Scott > > Scott Keir > Science in Society Officer > > tel +44 (0)20 7451 2513 > fax +44 (0)20 7930 2170 > web http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk > > The Royal Society > 6-9 Carlton House Terrace > London SW1Y 5AG > > Registered Charity No 207043 > The Royal Society - excellence in science > > Visit the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, 3-6 July 2006 - > http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/exhibition > Your chance to meet the scientists behind the cutting-edge science and > technology of the future. > > > > > > ************************************************************************* > The information contained in this e-mail is confidential and may also be > subject to legal privilege. It is intended only for the recipient(s) named > above. If you are not named above as a recipient, you must not read, copy, > disclose, forward or otherwise use the information contained in this e-mail. > ************************************************************************* > > ********************************************************************** > 1. To suspend yourself from the list, whilst on leave, for example, > send an email to [log in to unmask] with the following message: > set psci-com nomail > 2. To resume email from the list, send the following message: > set psci-com mail > 3. To leave psci-com, send an email to [log in to unmask] with the > message: > leave psci-com > 4. Further information about the psci-com discussion list, including list > archive, > can be found at the list web site: > http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/psci-com.html > 5. The psci-com gateway to internet resources on science communication and > science > and society can be found at http://psci-com.org.uk > ********************************************************************** > > ________________________________________________________________________ > This email has been scanned on behalf of NMSI for all viruses by the > MessageLabs Email Security System. > > This e-mail and attachments are intended for the named addressee only and are > confidential. If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the > sender immediately, delete the message from your computer system and destroy > any copies. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual > sender and may not reflect the views of the National Museum of Science & > Industry. This email has been scanned for all viruses by the MessageLabs > Email Security System. > > ********************************************************************** > 1. To suspend yourself from the list, whilst on leave, for example, > send an email to [log in to unmask] with the following message: > set psci-com nomail > 2. To resume email from the list, send the following message: > set psci-com mail > 3. To leave psci-com, send an email to [log in to unmask] with the > message: > leave psci-com > 4. Further information about the psci-com discussion list, including list > archive, > can be found at the list web site: > http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/psci-com.html > 5. The psci-com gateway to internet resources on science communication and > science > and society can be found at http://psci-com.org.uk > ********************************************************************** > > ********************************************************************** 1. To suspend yourself from the list, whilst on leave, for example, send an email to [log in to unmask] with the following message: set psci-com nomail 2. 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