We hear from all sides of the need to create a two-way dialogue between science and society. Although individuals recognise this, institutions that need to defend the status quo sometimes resist. Our desire at the Centre for Life is to create a new science community that requires the providers of science to join a dialogue with the consumers of science in the form of the public. By creating this climate of greater accountability in the open and away from the traditional cloisters of labs and clinics a more enduring trust can be formed.

Our science village, in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne, attempts this dialogue by bringing together, and integrating on a single site, working academics from Newcastle and Durham Universities, clinicians and nurses from the Newcastle NHS Trust, teachers from local schools, professional science communicators and the ‘Great British Public’, both the concerned and uninterested, people of all ages and inclinations.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the experiment has had its difficulties. Everyone is pleased to be in state-of-the-art, customised premises. It is exhilarating to work with such an eclectic mix of people and to recognise talent, energy and commitment in their respective fields. Bringing them together can produce outstanding results. One of the most successful events held at Life was part of the BBC’s Genetics and Society series. It involved Centre participants Tom Shakespeare (Director of Outreach for the Policy, Ethics and Life Science Research Institute) and clinical geneticist John Burn in a lively debate on some of the choices facing us as our understanding of genes and how they work increases. The formula was simple but it worked beautifully. Digestible chunks of science were given to an audience, they heard from members of the public directly affected by some of the issues and they explored some of the implications thrown up by different choices.

But there have been tensions. Priorities differ. Old institutional procedures are well worn and reasonably guaranteed to be trouble free. There are some who find it uncomfortable living on a development that includes such a varied mix of uses, including a nightclub and pubs. There are others who shy away from the entertainment-driven approach of the Life exhibition. They are uncomfortable with a science centre that has more than the whiff of the fairground about it. In our quest for sexy science, we do sometimes upset traditionalists who prefer a more conventional approach.

Focusing on an explanation of where life comes from and how it works was a risky choice for an exhibition that people are expected to pay to see. Sometimes we struggle to communicate the complexities of something that is invisible and turned off many people during school science lessons. At other times - and thankfully these occasions outnumber the dark moments - we feel that there is no more exciting or relevant subject in the world. It affects the lives of every one of us. It sparks lively debate, controversy and passion. We continue to contribute to that debate. The Centre shortly hosts Steven Pinker, in conversation with our own chairman, Matt Ridley, following the publication of Pinker’s latest book.

Operating a science centre once the heady honeymoon phase is over is a sobering experience. New events at holiday periods mean an endless treadmill of forward planning. Visitor numbers and revenue figures are scrutinised daily. There is a feeling of achievement - and relief - when targets are met but deflation when there are more staff than visitors. Keeping morale up and retaining good staff requires a lot of effort. Thankfully, we have a core team that is flexible, committed and enthusiastic. They cope with old ladies who accidentally post their false teeth down the rubbish chute. They politely tell an inquirer that part of our service does not include inserting suppositories. The Operations Manager is an expert on abseiling - she has to be as the only way we can clean some of our high exhibits is to bring in an abseiling team with special equipment. Rain is pouring in through the roof. Investigations show that the cushioned bubble part of the roof has been pecked by birds attracted to sandwiches left by a workman. The Property Manager sorts it out quietly and efficiently. I owe these people a lot!

From the ridiculous to the sublime - the innovative nature of the Life Science Village has attracted interest, nationally and internationally and from a scientific and non-scientific community. We are proud that our Patrons are Watson and Crick - Jim Watson visits each year. His sustained interest and support is appreciated hugely. His DNA Learning Center at Cold Spring Harbor has helped us design our own laboratory facilities for schools. Being able to offer the labs free of charge, thanks to Genetics Knowledge Park funding, is a big boost. Life has also welcomed HM The Queen and politicians, including Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Alan Milburn and John Prescott. Geordie lads and TV superstars Ant and Dec and Carol Vorderman have helped give the Centre broad popular appeal.

Delivering the Centre for Life has created a focus for science in north-east England that was not previously there. With others, we are hoping to build on this and establish a Festival of Science. Newcastle/Gateshead is energetically bidding for European Capital of Culture in 2008. There is a ready acceptance of art as part of culture but science struggles to find its place. A successful Science Festival and a project like the Centre for Life will go a long way towards helping science find a seat at the table.

External links

• Centre for Life: The Newcastle science centre
• Genetics Knowledge Park: Department of Health details on this initiative
• ECSITE-UK: National network for science and discovery centres
• Millennium Commission