DEPARTMENT FOR
INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS News Release (Sci Society
National 180708) issued by The Government News Network on 18 July 2008
Promoting public
engagement on increasingly complex science issues and encouraging
more people to choose science as a career are the key issues to be
tackled by a consultation starting today.
The consultation to develop a Science and Society Strategy was
launched by the Minister for Science and Innovation, Ian Pearson
at Thinktank in the Birmingham Science Museum. The initiative aims
to capture a range of views from the general public, scientists,
businesses, media, education and government. It seeks input on
three keys areas:
* How to improve communication, generate interest, increase
participation and convey the relevance of science;
* How to build trust and confidence in scientific research in the
public and private sectors; and
* How to inspire young people from diverse backgrounds to become
tomorrow's skilled scientists.
Mr Pearson said:
"Science improves the quality of our daily life, underpins
the UK's prosperity and will play a key role in meeting the
challenges facing the world in the 21st century. The aim of this
consultation is to ensure the public are engaged on scientific
issues to enable them to make informed choices in this age of
information overload. A society that understands double-blind
testing, the process of peer review and the evaluation of risk. A
society that can be awe-struck by science, but never dumb-struck.
"There is a need for businesses to engage with society on
science. The private sector has a responsibility to improve public
trust in the science it uses and funds. One of the key questions
of the consultation will be to ask what more can be done to foster
public confidence in science and industry.
"Engaging young people is also an important step on the road
to ensuring the UK has a skilled scientific workforce. The
consultation will explore how both the Government and business can
best inspire young people and support them in a scientific career."
In what is believed to be the first website of its type for a
Government consultation, an online hub has been established to
capture the feedback. It features discussion forums, videos and an
interactive consultation document allowing visitors to respond to
individual questions or the entire strategy.
Developing a Science and Society strategy fit for 2008 and beyond
is a key part of the Department for Innovation, Universities and
Skills' (DIUS) ten year Science and Innovation Framework 2004-14.
Promoting the benefits of public engagement in science, as well
as delivering science, technology, engineering and mathematics
(STEM) skills in line with employer demand is also one of the
Department's strategic objectives in the 2008-09 business plan.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
1. An interactive online hub has been created to host the
consultation and capture responses. See
http://interactive.dius.gov.uk/scienceandsociety for more information.
2. Ian Pearson's speech will be available online from
11.30am at http://www.dius.gov.uk/speeches/index.html
3. Written responses to the consultation should be addressed to
scienceandsociety@dius.gsi.gov.uk or Science and Society, DIUS,
Kingsgate House, 66-74 Victoria Street London SW1E 6SW.
4. The consultation will run until October 17, 2008. Publication
of the final strategy and implementation plan will be towards the
end of the year.
ENDS