Research Councils UK are holding a two day workshop with invited stakeholders on the 12 - 13 December 2005 to explore what the Research Councils should be aiming to achieve from a programme of public engagement on energy research, and to help identify potential components of that programme to achieve the desired purpose(s).
This workshop represents the second stage in a cross-Council project to investigate the need for the Research Councils to engage with the public around energy research, following on from the initial desk research into current knowledge in this sector.
This is the first time that the Research Councils have worked together to develop a programme of public engagement on such a broad topic and we are keen to take on board the experience and expertise of stakeholders in the energy and public engagement fields. Representatives from our research community, industry, government, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO's) and the science communication community are participating in the workshop - the report from which will be made publicly available.
After the workshop we are anticipating that we will select a number of ideas and strategies to take forward and develop into a programme of public engagement. This could encompass a range of activities from information provision around energy research to a deliberative process to inform Research Councils thinking.
If you have any comments, please contact the project manager:
Gillian Rendle
Research Councils UK
Science in Society Unit
Polaris House
North Star Avenue
Swindon, SN2 1ET
Tel: 01793 442817