There are various organisations and schemes that seek to inform the public of important and topical issues in science. Greater awareness empowers the public and enables informed debate on scientific issues affecting society. Here are some examples of such public awareness activities.
Café Scientifique events provide a unique forum for discussing topical and thought-provoking scientific issues in a way that is much more relaxed, informal and accessible than a public lecture. Events are held in cafés, bars and other non-academic venues. The original concept was developed in Lyon, France in 1997, before being brought to the UK by Science Communicator Duncan Dallas. It has since been adapted by the British Council to engage a wider audience with science and the impact it has on our lives. As well as live events, we also run a Café scientifique video-conference scheme, which brings together audiences in more than one country.
Lowers barriers to participation by providing a space for adults to take part in informative debates about current science and technology issues. It is a collaboration between the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science), the European Dana Alliance for the Brain and the Science Museum. The latest facilities link the Centre and its events with venues all over the UK, those on the Internet and everyone with a mobile phone.
National Science and Engineering Week is an opportunity for people of all ages, areas and organisations to take part in science, engineering and technology activities. It is co-ordinated by the BA.
STEMNET ’s flagship programme. Ambassadors are individuals from a wide variety of science and engineering backgrounds, from all across the UK, who offer their time, enthusiasm and expertise to help schools inspire young people. They represent over 1000 different employers, from large multinationals to small-medium size enterprises and other organisations like the NHS, and the Environment Agency. Many SEAs are also undergraduates, studying at universities across the UK. These individuals act as invaluable role models to students, through the work they do in schools.
An organisation that promotes the benefits of scientific evidence in public debate and responds to scientific inaccuracies and misrepresentation. It has focused recently on issues such as alternative medicine, nuclear power and weather patterns. It also runs a programme to help young research scientists to get actively involved in public debates about science.
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