Beacons for Public Engagement were launched yesterday by Science and Innovation Minister Ian Pearson at an event in Westminster. With investment from Research Councils UK, the UK funding councils and the Wellcome Trust, these university-based collaborative centres will support, recognise, reward and build capacity for public engagement work across the UK.
Speaking at the event Mr Pearson said "We need to develop a mature relationship between the public, the media, and scientists where everyone understands each other more fully. I believe the Beacons initiative can and will play an important part in bringing about the closer engagement that we seek."
He was joined by Professor David Eastwood, Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, and Professor Alan Thorpe, Chief Executive of the NERC, who acts as champion for the Research Councils' science in society activities.
Further information on Beacons can be found here.