Engaging Science

Thoughts, deeds, analysis and action

13 July 2006

A major new book on public engagement with science is now available from the Wellcome Trust

‘Engaging Science: Thoughts, deeds, analysis and action’ is a new book commissioned by the Wellcome Trust featuring essays from leading researchers, practitioners and commentators. The book examines what we have learned about the thoughts and opinions of each of these groups over the last decade, in relation to public engagement and its future implications.

Topics include: public attitudes to science; the role of the media in public engagement; scientists’ perspectives; implications for education; linking the public to policy making; and the role of campaigning groups.

‘It is one thing to establish that science in the media has been in rude good health for much of the history of science itself, but quite another to discern what relationship its practitioners expected the public to have with science.’

Tim Boon, Head of Collection at the Science Museum, London

‘Almost everyone who is involved in public engagement shares a view that science is a hugely important human activity, practically and intellectually. And everyone sees benefits of narrowing the gap between scientific activity and the rest of society.Public engagement needs to be able to continue to prove that it is making a difference.’

Clare Matterson, Wellcome Trust Director of Medicine, Society and History

‘Unless and until public engagement is valued alongside research outputs and excellent teaching, it is unlikely to be a major feature in the scientists’ diaries.’

Nancy Rothwell, Professor at the Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester

‘Engaging Science: Thoughts, deeds, analysis and action’ also includes summaries of key Wellcome Trust-funded projects and initiatives supported over the past decade, including: ‘Future Face’, a Wellcome Trust exhibition at the Science Museum; ‘Every Breath’, an intriguing theatre debate production from Y Touring; and Cornwall’s Eden Project launched in 2000, combining magnificent countryside, architecture, science and the arts to produce an inspiring environment for informal teaching.

The Wellcome Trust supports research and activities to stimulate the public's interest in science, to inform and facilitate public debate on science, and to improve understanding of the social, ethical, historical and cultural context of science.Over the past ten years the Wellcome Trust has invested over £100 million on public engagement activities, resulting in films, installations, theatre productions, thought provoking discussions and collaborative work of artists and scientists.

To mark its commitment to public engagement activities Wellcome Collection, a new public venue located near Euston Station, will open in the summer of 2007.Part gallery, part museum, an extraordinary library, café and more, Wellcome Collection will take a thoughtful and experimental look at medicine, life and art, rooting science in the broad context of health and wellbeing.

The official launch of ‘Engaging Science: Thoughts, deeds, analysis and action’ will take place at the Science Communication Conference on Thursday 13 July at the Institute of Engineering and Technology at Savoy Place.

The essays in this publication have been edited by Dr Jon Turney, course leader for the MSc in Creative Non-fiction in the Science Communications Group, Imperial College London, who also contributes to concluding remarks.

Copies are available free of charge and can be ordered online.

Media enquiries

Wellcome Trust

Mike Findlay

E m.findlay@wellcome.ac.uk

T +44 (0)20 7611 8612

Notes to editors

The Wellcome Trust is the most diverse biomedical research charity in the world, spending about £450 million every year both in the UK and internationally to support and promote research that will improve the health of humans and animals. The Trust was established under the will of Sir Henry Wellcome, and is funded from a private endowment, which is managed with long-term stability and growth in mind.

Find out more about the Wellcome Trust’s public engagement activities.

Find out more about the Wellcome Collection.