Building on concepts relating to informal science education, this work compares science-related activities which successfully engaged public audiences at three different 'generic' locations: a garden festival, park, and music festival. The purpose was identify what factors contribute the perceived success of communication occurring within leisure spaces. This article reports results 71 short (2–3 min) structured interviews with participants events, 18 observations sessions, demonstrating...

HOMEs was a citizen science exploratory project, aimed at investigating the presence of airborne microplastics in people's homes. Participants placed passive samplers their homes, using low-cost microscopes to see and take pictures samples. The methods developed are promising, however there number pitfalls avoid key considerations. This practice insight explores successful approaches identifies barriers limitations when embedding co-creation participatory research project. piece focuses on...

Around the world, increasing numbers of people are attending informal science events, often ones that part multi-event festivals cross cultural boundaries. For researchers who take part, and organisers, evaluating events' success, value effectiveness is hugely important. However, use traditional evaluation methods such as paper surveys formal structured interviews poses problems in informal, dynamic contexts. In this article, we draw on our experience events literally took place a field,...

This study uses Q Method to examine how those living in former metal mining landscapes value this heritage and their preferences for the long-term management of abandoned mine waste. There are around 5000 mines England Wales, many which protected ecological, geological or cultural value. is used subjective viewpoints, we asked 38 residents six areas Wales 'sort' a series statements based on resonance with resident's perspective. The covered range opinions legacy, its options management. was...

Diverse citizens need to be involved in net zero transitions ensure policy interventions do not entrench inequalities for people from minoritised or disenfranchised groups and public engagement with rapid social changes. This paper illustrates the importance of designing enjoyable activities aimed at segmented citizen community groups, a broad cross-section society can participate environmental debate policymaking. We analysed an evaluation sample 857 people, representing 10.3% 8302 directly...

In this commentary, we explore the factors that contributed to festival goers’ choice attend science-based events at a summer cultural festival. We evaluated impact of such on audiences: their levels engagement, reasons for participation, and views reactions events. Presented with variety events, attendances were strong, high enjoyment engagement scientists other speakers. Moreover, audiences saw science not as something distinct from “cultural” but just another option: Science was culture.

Many countries face serious strategic challenges with the future supply of both aggregates and critical elements. Yet, at same time, they must sustainably manage continued multimillion tonne annual arisings mineral-dominated wastes from mining industry. In an antithesis circular economy principles, these continue to be landfilled despite often comprising valuable components, such as metals, soil macronutrients mineral components which sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). this paper,...

WeCount was designed to empower citizens in five case studies across Europe take a leading role the production of data, evidence, knowledge and solutions for local sustainable mobility. This practice insight aims explore suitability value citizen science address mobility transport issues. The evaluation showed that able reach sustain engagement with broad demographics society highlighted importance co-design making enjoyable empowering. Statistical significance found: more enjoyed their...

This small-scale study explores the impacts of Covid-19 pandemic on running and delivering a large-scale, international participatory citizen science project. In doing so, it seeks to identify challenges posed by for research practitioner community, as well suggesting useful strategies, tools helpful approaches meeting similar in future. WeCount was project aimed at empowering citizens take leading role production data, evidence knowledge around mobility their own neighbourhoods. The...

ABSTRACT Lumbriculus variegatus is an oligochaete widely used in sediment toxicity tests. The locomotory behavior of adults from a normal and clone population was studied the Multispecies Freshwater Biomonitor™ along with growth reproduction to determine how different types may affect this worm forced clones during testing. Four sand size classes were established by sieving: fine (< 1 mm), medium (1 < × 2 coarse (> whole sediment. Locomotory activity highest then sediment, while worms grew...

The drive for impact from research projects presents a dilemma science communication researchers and practitioners — should public engagement be regarded only as mechanism providing evidence of the or itself form impact? This editorial describes curation five commentaries resulting recent international conference ‘Science in Public: Research, Practice, Impact’. reveal issues communicators may face implementing with that has an impact; planning co-producing mind, to organising operating...

A widespread culture supporting public engagement activities in higher education is desirable but difficult to establish. Drawing on social cognitive theory, this science communication project aimed enhance change engineering by developing skillsets of early-career engineers, particularly female engineers as role models. Engineers received training storytelling present at live events, enhanced peer group persuasion and vicarious modeling. coordinator senior management endorsement removed...

IIn this study, we describe and present an evaluation of how the Q Method was used to engage members local communities, examine those living in former metal mining landscapes value their heritage understand preferences for long-term management mine waste. The focused on participants' experiences, thoughts, views Method, as a method collecting individual preferences. is discourse analysis, allowing systematic analysis subjective perspectives participants. This paper presents small-scale...

Policy-makers, researchers and the general public seem to agree that there is a need for evidence-based policies. Here we report on case study which explores environmental policy-making at national local levels in one European country, Portugal. The focuses understanding how scientific evidence used valued by policy-makers. Our data show Portugal are opportunities level influence belief amongst policy-makers essential development of solid trustworthy However, challenges remain, including...

Abstract Microplastics are ubiquitous in our environment but their presence air is less well understood. Homes likely a key source of airborne microplastics and microfibres to the owing frequent use storage plastics textiles within them. Studying presence, concentration distribution these environments difficult without participation citizens due accessibility challenges. Few studies have examined intricacies prevalence indoor or link between exposure behavioural regulatory approaches that...

Abstract Background Citizen science is a way to democratise by involving groups of citizens in the research process. Clinical guidelines are used improve practice, but their implementation can be limited. Involving patients and public enhance guideline implementation, there uncertainty about best approaches achieve this. potential involve improving clinical implementation. We aimed explore application citizen methods dissemination oral health dentistry. Methods developed GUIDE (GUideline...

ABSTRACT Metals are naturally occurring constituents of the environment and although many essential nutrients for living organisms, at higher concentrations they can be toxic. Some aquatic species help understand even predict impact those contaminants. Lumbriculus variegatus is a recommended use in sediment toxicity tests known to have remarkable ability segmental regeneration. Short- (10-day) long-term (28-day) were used test effects metal on survival, growth, behavior L. variegatus. This...

This small-scale exploratory study examined the role of environmental consultants in policy-making process using one European country (Portugal) as a case study. The focused particularly on knowledge brokers, providing scientific expertise to national and local government policy-makers. research question other topics were explored through depth interviews an online questionnaire. data indicate that Portugal act policy-makers with access information encouraging its use; this feeds into policy...

This small-scale exploratory study examined the role of environmental consultants in policy-making process using one European country (Portugal) as a case study. The focused particularly on knowledge brokers, providing scientific expertise to national and local government policy-makers. research question other topics were explored through depth interviews an online questionnaire. data indicate that Portugal act policy-makers with access information encouraging its use; this feeds into policy...

Traditionally, the Royal Institution's Christmas Lectures have always adopted a deficit model for communication, with one or two invited scientists giving lectures to an audience present at Institution (Ri) and, since 1936, watching on television home. As trends in public engagement tended towards more dialogue participatory models, Ri has made efforts create programme of events around lectures: extending experience outside lecture theatre and audiences opportunities live participate...