The UK public are better informed and more confident about science, a new survey released today (Tuesday 11 March) has found. But they want to hear about scientific issues at an earlier stage.
The results of the latest Public Attitudes to Science Survey were released today by Research Councils UK (RCUK) and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS).
Key findings of the survey were:
- 82 per cent were amazed by the achievements of science (up from 75 per cent in 2000);
- television remains the most common way of finding out about science, although internet use has grown;
- young people were more likely to rate their science education as better than other subjects, but only one in ten said science would make a good career choice;
- 73 per cent would like more scientists to discuss research and its social and ethical implications with the general public;
- 78 per cent agree the public should hear about new areas of science and technology before they happen, not after.
Science Minister Ian Pearson said:
"It's a good thing that people are more enthusiastic and feel better informed about science. Thanks to tools like the internet, people are now more confident that they can find information about the science issues that affect them.
"There is more to do and a key challenge for the scientific community is to ensure it continues to communicate with the public about the research scientists are engaging in and the positive and negative issues that may arise from it.
"Another challenge for us all is to get more young people interested in science and to appreciate the exciting opportunities for further study and possible career paths in the science field. That is why we are committed to initiatives like this week's National Science and Engineering Week which aim to bring science alive for children and young people as well as supporting 18,000 science and engineering ambassadors promoting science and engineering in schools up and down the country."
Speaking on behalf of RCUK, Professor Alan Thorpe said:
"We believe that enabling science and engineering to be more commonly viewed as part of mainstream culture will empower people to take a more informed part in our society. However, involving the public is not just of benefit to the public. We also believe that a true conversation with the public is immensely valuable to research development, and can bring new insight and relevance to researchers and funding bodies alike."
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Notes to editors:
Public Attitudes to Science 2008 has been commissioned by the Research Councils UK (RCUK) and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). It is the third survey in a series. The first survey was reported in 2000 as "Science and the Public". The second was published in 2005 as "Science and Society".
A Guide to the survey and the full report is available from the Science in Society section of the RCUK website.
The methodology of the survey included a quantitative survey of 2000 members of the public; six qualitative workshops; an omnibus survey of 1000 members of the public; six discussion groups; and a literature review of relevant research in the UK, Europe and worldwide.
The role of DIUS is to make the UK one of the best places in the world for science, research and innovation and to raise the level of education and skills to give the UK a competitive edge.
About the Research Councils
The seven Research Councils are independent non-departmental public bodies, funded by the Science Budget through the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). They are incorporated by Royal Charter and together manage a research budget of over £2.8 billion a year.
Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the partnership between the UK's seven Research Councils. Through RCUK, the Research Councils work together to champion the research, training and innovation they support.
The seven UK Research Councils are:
Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
Medical Research Council (MRC);
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
For more information, contact Julia Short on 01793 444435, or Rhys Stacker, DIUS press officer, on 020 3300 8105.