Science in public

New reports on aspects of science in public appear all the time. Here are links to some of those that might have a particular appeal to science writers.

Office of Science and Technology and the Wellcome Trust

Science and the Public

A Review of Science Communication and Public Attitudes to Science in Britain

"This report is based on research sponsored by the Office of Science and Technology (OST) and the Wellcome Trust."

"It brings together research which maps the provision of science communication with research exploring public attitudes to science, engineering and technology. It is intended to start a consultation process amongst the science communication community regarding priorities for future activity."

Find more details, an order form, and a download PDF file at the Wellcome Trust.

Wellcome Trust

The Role of Scientists in Public Debate

Another report paid for by the Wellcome Trust, this one is a "large-scale nationwide survey of scientists who are funded by a range of academic, charity and industry sources".

"The research aimed to investigate whether scientists consider themselves to be the people most responsible for and best equipped to communicate their scientific research and its implications to the public, what benefits and barriers they see to a greater public understanding of science and what needs to change for scientists to take a greater role in science communication."

The Role of Scientists in Public Debate

House of Lords

Science And Society

A report from the Select Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Lords.

"Public interest in science in the United Kingdom is high. Survey data reveal, however, negative responses to science associated with Government or industry, and to science whose purpose is not obviously beneficial."

Government response

to the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology Third Report: SCIENCE AND SOCIETY. Also available as an Acrobat file

Evaluation Associates

Does it make a difference?

The government and others have poured money into PUSET. They naturally want to know if it has been a waste of time. So evaluation is the name of the game. 
Evaluation Associates has put a recent article on its work on the web. 

Where goes public understanding?