Expert groups to take action on science and society

Five new independent Expert Groups are to engage the science community, media, public, business and policy makers to help change cultural attitudes to science in the UK. Their creation was announced today by the Science and Innovation Minister, Lord Drayson

26 May 2009

The Groups will bring key players together, breaking down the traditional barriers to collaboration and driving forward action in the five areas that emerged from the Government’s consultation - ‘A vision for Science and Society’.

The five Groups are:

Science for All – headed by Sir Roland Jackson of the British Science Association – will look into how to better demonstrate the relevance of science to everyday life
Science and the Media – headed by Fiona Fox of the Science Media Centre – will consider how opportunities for partnerships between the media and scientists can be increased
Science and Learning – headed by Sir Mark Walport of the Wellcome Trust – will consider how the education system can help to ensure the delivery of a scientifically literate society
Science for Careers – headed by Diana Garnham of the Science Council – will look at how to increase opportunities for those who study science to make the scientific workforce more diverse and representative of society
Science and Trust – headed by Aileen Allsop of AstraZeneca & Tony Whitehead of the Government Office for Science (GO Science) – will consider how science and engineering in the UK can continue to be underpinned by social responsibility and ethics

‘A vision for Science and Society’ was a Government consultation published in 2008 by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). The consultation demonstrated the need to refresh relationships with science, unlock the talent of the people in this country and encourage closer engagement between the key players - including the science community, the media, public, businesses and policy makers. The Expert Groups announced today are a direct response to that.

Commenting on the announcement, Science and Innovation Minister, Lord Drayson, said:

“A significant outcome from the consultation is that respondents want us – Government – to take a more active role. So rather than have more recommendations, we will take action. The Groups are already being brought together and planning their first meetings. I’m delighted about the level of enthusiasm I’ve seen and I will do everything I can to support the actions they take.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

Further information about the Expert Groups can be found at: http://interactive.dius.gov.uk/scienceandsociety
The consultation ‘A vision for Science and Society’ was published by DIUS in July 2008 – for further info see: http://www.dius.gov.uk/consultations/science_and_society.aspx
For media enquiries only contact Kate Ison in the DIUS press office on T:0203 300 8099 E: kate.ison@dius.gsi.gov.uk

Overview of the five Expert Groups

Science for All

Creating a culture where science is more relevant to everyday life and where public engagement activity by science, business, academia and policy is valued, recognised and rewarded

Science and the Media

Increasing opportunities for contact and partnership working between the media and scientists in order to create a better understanding about each others’ work and produce better products

Science and Learning

Creating an effective learning system that the science and business communities regard as fit for purpose and delivering a scientifically literate society. It will explore how to build on the existing DIUS-DCSF STEM programme - as previously outlined by DCSF:

http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2009_0065

Science for Careers

Raising awareness of the opportunities for those who study science, and providing increased information on the range of science careers on offer to make the scientific workforce more representative of the diversity of modern society

Science and Trust

Promoting the underpinning of science in the UK by social responsibility and ethics. Providing independent evaluation of activities so that societal issues are reflected in transparent decision making by Government and business