Bringing science to cities
Cities are hotbeds for scientific progress and innovation, offering ideal environments to make societies smarter and better. In addition, strong public engagement in science is pivotal for furthering the knowledge society and knowledge economy. The EU-funded project 'Cities and science communication: Innovative approaches to engaging the public' (CASC) fostered a scientific culture in cities and encouraged international exchanges on the topic. To achieve its aims, the project brought together 17 European partners and 1 from China. They represented science centres, academia, government and outreach organisations, many with extensive experience in science communication. CASC looked at different ways of building a science-led culture and assessed its impact on different target groups. The project team also outlined three key priorities: celebrating science and scientists, strengthening science citizenship (i.e. public engagement in science) and promoting good science. Another objective involved addressing the skills shortage in science and engineering — which hampers economic growth — by encouraging collaboration among the 'triple helix' of universities, business and the public sector. CASC therefore investigated barriers to engagement in science and elaborated policy recommendations to address these shortcomings. It shared best practices in science and society initiatives among key stakeholders in different cities, highlighting as well the European Commission's Science and Society Action Plan. Recommendations included more support for existing science centres to engage different groups, enhanced professional development to science communications stakeholders and better policymaking. Greater collaboration between different EU Directorates-General, new EU standards to promote trust in science and enhanced seed funding to communicate science were also recommended. Overall, the project achieved its objectives, from creating a new network of science communication practitioners to transferring policy know-how and best practices. It devised new tools to build a scientific culture, such as better online browsing for science news, influencing as well how future science centres will be developed. These accomplishments will foster a more science-friendly society that will value progress in the field and boost the European economy.
Keywords
Science, cities, innovation, knowledge economy, public engagement, science communication, science centre
