Public attitudes to science
BIS has previously commissioned three studies on public attitudes to science.
Since 2000, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and its predecessor Departments have been responsible for funding the Public Attitudes to Science series of attitudinal surveys.
The last survey was published during National Science and Engineering Week in 2008 and reported on research conducted in 2007. RCUK, with funding from the former Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, commissioned Public Attitudes to Science 2008 to build on previous surveys commissioned by the Office of Science and Technology (OST). These were published in 2005 and 2000.
Public Attitudes to Science 2008 can be read as a shorter guide, intended to present key findings and be used by policy makers and science communication and public engagement professionals. A more detailed report is also available for those who want to delve into the results in greater detail. The link to both is below.
The study showed a generally positive attitude to the sciences across the UK, and, in common with its predecessors, looked at attitudes to science education, careers, trust in scientists, and science regulation. A key message is that positive attitudes to the sciences are, however, accompanied by a relative lack of awareness of what scientists and researchers do, but an appetite for more and earlier dialogue and consultation on new science and technology developments.
