Science communication in Australia

Thursday, 31 May, 2012

How scientifically aware is the Australian public? The scientific community needs to attract students to scientific careers and gain government funding and public support; and to do this effectively, it has to engage the public. Are we doing this? Who knows?

Actually, no one really knows. But they are trying to find out and you can help by completing this survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/scienceengageaudit.

The ‘Inspiring Australia Expert Working Group on Developing an Evidence Base for Science Engagement in Australia: Recommendations’ report determined that “science engagement enterprises in Australia need to be assessed in terms of how well they meet the Australian public’s requirements for science engagement as well as in terms of the ability of these enterprises to yield definite and practical outcomes”.

To this aim, a short‐term expert working group was commissioned by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research to offer a plan for identifying and sharing best practice for an evidence base for science engagement in Australia.

And you can help to create a snapshot of all of the diverse science communication activities and programs going on between January 2011 and June 2013.

This survey will help us all understand:

  • who are Australia’s players in science engagement - internationally, nationally, regionally and locally
  • where and who is missing out on science engagement
  • if and how Australians respond to science engagement activities
  • how people can link their activities or ideas together
  • how people are evaluating their engagement activities, or not
  • how we can create better tools for evaluation
  • the bigger picture of science engagement in Australia - with lots of opportunity for research

As well as the survey, the research team will do personal interviews and a desktop review to make sure that they capture as many activities as possible.

The team comprises Jenni Metcalfe (Econnect Communication), Kristin Alford (Bridge8), and Jesse Shore and Kali Madden (Australian Science Communicators). Nancy Longnecker (UWA), Rod Lamberts (ANU) and Joan Leach (UQ) are advisors for the project. The data will help develop a national evaluation tool for science engagement activities - another initiative in response to the report’s recommendations.

The audit will help science communicators to be seen as part of the big picture of science engagement in Australia and their standing with respect to the world.

This Inspiring Australia initiative is supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research & Tertiary Education in partnership with Econnect, Bridge8, ASC and UWA.

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