Public must be given a voice on the direction of research, says BA President
Embargoed until 00.01 Monday 6 September 2004
Public concerns over the direction that science is moving in must be taken into account at a fundamental level, argues Professor Dame Julia Higgins, President of the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science). In her Presidential Address at the BA Festival of Science at the University of Exeter, Dame Julia says that although the public indirectly funds science through its taxes it has little control over the uses made of that science and often directly suffers the consequences of its applications.
“We have to find new and innovative ways of incorporating public concern into the process of how we decide which research is given the go-ahead,” says Dame Julia. “We must encourage serious debate on important scientific issues so that the public’s views can inform both the political and commercial decisions being made in their name.”
Dame Julia gives the example of recent co-operation between the BA and the DTI Foresight programme focussing on the new technologies of cognitive systems (artificial or natural systems that can sense, act, think, feel, communicate, learn and evolve). In a series of workshops, scientists, science communicators and members of the public worked together to find a common language for this emerging technology – one that responded to the interests and concerns of both the scientists and the public.
Whilst acknowledging that dialogue with the public may prove an uncomfortable ride for scientists, she believes that it is essential.
“I believe scientists have an absolute responsibility not only to do their science well but also to be open to the judgement and opinions of the community in whose name and at whose expense they are doing it.”
Dame Julia says that “invisible scientists” (those with scientific training who no longer explicitly use their scientific knowledge, such as accountants, civil servants and retail managers) also have an important role to play in this dialogue because society has given them the training to better understand and interpret scientific arguments. She believes that in order to better equip society as a whole to make informed dialogue, we need to encourage more debate of ethical, social and political implications of science among both science and arts specialists by making it a part of their education at school and university.
“Only by entering a real dialogue admitting the risks as well as hailing the potential benefits of new knowledge will scientists maintain the respect and trust of society, and restore it where it has been damaged. And only by engaging our young people in the debate will we secure the future of science by recruiting the brightest and best as the next generation of both visible and invisible scientists.”
Dame Julia will make her Presidential Address “Responsibility and Science?” at the BA Festival of Science on Monday 6 September.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Craig Brierley, Press Officer, the BA
Tel: 020 7019 4947
Email: craig.brierley@the-ba.net
Note for editors
1. The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation dedicated to connecting science with people, so that science and its applications become accessible to all. The BA aims to promote openness about science in society and to engage and inspire people directly with science and technology and their implications. Established in 1831, the BA organises major initiatives across the UK, including the annual BA Festival of Science, National Science Week, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. For more information about the BA, please visit www.the-ba.net.
Public concerns over the direction that science is moving in must be taken into account at a fundamental level, argues Professor Dame Julia Higgins, President of the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science). In her Presidential Address at the BA Festival of Science at the University of Exeter, Dame Julia says that although the public indirectly funds science through its taxes it has little control over the uses made of that science and often directly suffers the consequences of its applications.
“We have to find new and innovative ways of incorporating public concern into the process of how we decide which research is given the go-ahead,” says Dame Julia. “We must encourage serious debate on important scientific issues so that the public’s views can inform both the political and commercial decisions being made in their name.”
Dame Julia gives the example of recent co-operation between the BA and the DTI Foresight programme focussing on the new technologies of cognitive systems (artificial or natural systems that can sense, act, think, feel, communicate, learn and evolve). In a series of workshops, scientists, science communicators and members of the public worked together to find a common language for this emerging technology – one that responded to the interests and concerns of both the scientists and the public.
Whilst acknowledging that dialogue with the public may prove an uncomfortable ride for scientists, she believes that it is essential.
“I believe scientists have an absolute responsibility not only to do their science well but also to be open to the judgement and opinions of the community in whose name and at whose expense they are doing it.”
Dame Julia says that “invisible scientists” (those with scientific training who no longer explicitly use their scientific knowledge, such as accountants, civil servants and retail managers) also have an important role to play in this dialogue because society has given them the training to better understand and interpret scientific arguments. She believes that in order to better equip society as a whole to make informed dialogue, we need to encourage more debate of ethical, social and political implications of science among both science and arts specialists by making it a part of their education at school and university.
“Only by entering a real dialogue admitting the risks as well as hailing the potential benefits of new knowledge will scientists maintain the respect and trust of society, and restore it where it has been damaged. And only by engaging our young people in the debate will we secure the future of science by recruiting the brightest and best as the next generation of both visible and invisible scientists.”
Dame Julia will make her Presidential Address “Responsibility and Science?” at the BA Festival of Science on Monday 6 September.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Craig Brierley, Press Officer, the BA
Tel: 020 7019 4947
Email: craig.brierley@the-ba.net
Note for editors
1. The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation dedicated to connecting science with people, so that science and its applications become accessible to all. The BA aims to promote openness about science in society and to engage and inspire people directly with science and technology and their implications. Established in 1831, the BA organises major initiatives across the UK, including the annual BA Festival of Science, National Science Week, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. For more information about the BA, please visit www.the-ba.net.
