ESF Member Organisation Forum on Science in Society Relationships

About

Background

Science in Society (SiS) Relationships is a new strategic question in science policy as expressed in the ESF-EUROHORCs Road Map. CNRS and the ESF Office organised a road mapping event in July 2009, where the representatives of 24 ESF Member Organisations (MOs) as well as further stakeholders and experts of science-society relationships discussed the specific steps ESF should take to help the scientific community improve its relations with the different publics in society, outlining this MO Forum.  

Aim

To become a network of Member Organisation representatives aware of science interactions with society, aiming to:

  • improve and introduce different series of practices of engagement of SiS relationships,
  • make policy recommendations,
  • propose places/interfaces for dialogue.  

Objectives

Making the bridge from public understanding to public engagement by:

  • Analysing and mapping practices from Member Organisations
  • Promoting science at the cultural level by diffusing the “scientific culture” in society
  • Raising awareness of the scientific community on the need for dialogue by giving: incentives, support, training, accountability (measuring impact)
  • Developing 'listening' practices for other stakeholders  

  Strategic Alignment 

Actions

1. Capacity building

  • Policy recommendations
  • Guidelines for MOs to improve their relationships with their publics

2. Recognition, impact and evaluation - provide incentives and indicators (measure scientist involvement)

  • Policy recommendations
  • Guidelines for MOs to improve their relationships with their publics

3. Best practices of Science and Society engagement

  • Handbook or examples of best practice

4. Existing ideas and pitfalls for audiences  

  • Forward Look

Contact

For further information on the ESF Member Organisation Forum on Science in Society Relationships, please contact in the Corporate Science Strategy Development (CSSD) Unit :   

Ms.LauraMarinE-Mail
Science Officer MOs Relations & Partnerships
Mrs.IsabelleVoneschE-Mail
Personal Assistant to the Director of Science and Strategy