Center for Public Engagement with Science and Technology

Science and technology are integral to every aspect of modern life. Despite generally favorable public attitudes about science, technology, and their benefits, however, tensions continue to emerge at the intersection of core human values and certain scientific fields—from human embryonic stem cell and global climate-change research, to the teaching of evolution. Increasingly, this tension has interfered with scientific progress, the quality of science education, and the broader ability of the scientific enterprise to fully serve the needs of society.

The traditional approach to dealing with science-society tension has been to try to increase public understanding of scientific discoveries and theories. Yet, many members of the public do understand the scientific issues and facts, but find them unpalatable, and thus, education alone may be an insufficient response.

AAAS has instead proposed building upon and moving beyond traditional public understanding efforts, toward more comprehensive public-dialogue opportunities.

"We need to engage the public in a more open and honest, bi-directional dialogue about science and technology and the products they give rise to, addressing not only the inherent benefits, but also the limits, perils and pitfalls," AAAS CEO Dr. Alan I. Leshner, executive publisher of the journal Science, wrote in an editorial on public engagement. "We need to respect the public's perspective and concerns and develop a partnership that can respond to them." Specific strategies for achieving public engagement were described in a AAAS op-ed in The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Communication Resources for Scientists and Engineers

The AAAS Center for Public Engagement with Science and Technology has partnered with the National Science Foundation to provide resources for scientists and engineers, both online and through in-person workshops to help researchers communicate more broadly with the public.

Visit the Communicating Science: Tools for Scientists and Engineers Web site.

Selected Issues 

AAAS has had long-standing success in bringing science to the public through work with schools, science journalists, and science museums and centers; through radio, television and internet broadcasting; and through numerous publications translating science into more understandable terms.

Now, the Center for Public Engagement with Science and Technology is providing a venue for multi-directional dialogue on many of the topics that have recently captured national and international attention, such as:

• Stem cell research and cloning
• Evolution and science education
• Science, technology and national security
• Bioterrorism
• Energy policy
• Sustainable development
• The environment
• Climate change
• Genetic medicine
• Emerging infectious diseases
• Genetically modified foods
• Space exploration
• Nanotechnology

Ongoing Center Activities 

In 2004, the new Center launched a series of ongoing activities intended to boost public awareness and understanding of the nature of science and the work of scientists, while at the same time increasing public input into scientific research and policy agendas by creating a vehicle for real dialogue among policymakers, the general public and the scientific community. To date, ongoing activities have included such efforts as:

• Town hall meetings on issues such as oceans, evolution, and climate change
• Free "Family Science Days," planned in collaboration with local universities, science centers and others, during the AAAS Annual Meeting
• "Meet the scientist" events at AAAS headquarters
• A "glocal" strategy to promote local public engagement regarding global science-related issues, by working with local opinion leaders, policy-makers, school board members, clergy, and the news media
• The Science Insights and News Service, to help increase the volume of scientific leadership through news opportunities such as op-ed placements, the AAAS Science Talk Experts & Speakers service, and more.

The AAAS Center for Public Engagement with Science and Technology is directed by AAAS CEO Alan I. Leshner, executive publisher of the journal Science. Media queries for Dr. Leshner should be directed to Ginger Pinholster in the AAAS Office of Public Programs, (202) 326-6421, gpinhols@aaas.org. For all other Executive Office queries, please contact Gretchen Seiler, 202-326-6633, gseiler@aaas.org.