This introductory essay looks back on the two decades since journal Public Understanding of Science was launched. Drawing invited commentaries in this special issue, we can see narratives continuity and change around practice politics public engagement with science. would seem to be a necessary but insufficient part opening up science its governance. Those us who have been involved advocating, conducting evaluating could accused over-promising. If we, as social scientists, are going continue...

Concerns about social justice are long standing across many fields. In this article, we outline key concepts in relation to science communication, before examining the politics of and communication more detail. We argue focus is needed on how certain forms power travel through ways that have created, reinforced and/or ameliorated structural inequities. foregrounding perspectives helps make explicit dynamics involved creating communicating knowledge. For us, a purposeful move resists urge...

Big changes to the way in which research funding is allocated UK universities were brought about Research Excellence Framework (REF), overseen by Higher Education Funding Council, England. Replacing earlier Assessment Exercise, purpose of REF was assess quality and reach universities-and allocate accordingly. For first time, this included an assessment 'impact', accounting for 20% allocation. In article we use a text mining technique investigate interpretations impact put forward via case...

Abstract This historical review surveys the evolution of science–society relationship in post‐war Britain. It observes transformation since 1980s idea ‘public understanding science’, which scientists and laypeople differ by virtue scientific knowledge they have, into engagement scientists, policy makers negotiate for future science technology. We survey recent critiques public draw attention to ways it constructs particular publics, question its capacity contribute policy‐making.

Journal Article Public Participation and Climate Change Infrastructure Get access Maria Lee, Lee Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Chiara Armeni, Armeni Javier de Cendra, Cendra Sarah Chaytor, Chaytor Simon Lock, Lock Mark Maslin, Maslin Catherine Redgwell, Redgwell Yvonne Rydin * All at University College London (for correspondence, maria.lee@ucl.ac.uk). This article was written within the UCL Governance of Technologies Group 2011–12, which also...

Around the world there is increasing interest from government and industry in potential for Carbon Capture Storage (CCS) technologies to play a part decarbonisation. This paper examines how people with little previous exposure CCS technology, frame discuss it, absence of information, ideas, notions, values experiences shape opinion. We present data series focus groups held environmental activists, planning councillors, adult youth community group members London 2012. found that views on are...

Journal Article Public Engagement in Decision-Making on Major Wind Energy Projects Get access Yvonne Rydin, Rydin * University College London. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Maria Lee, Lee Simon J Lock of Environmental Law, Volume 27, Issue 1, March 2015, Pages 139–150, https://doi.org/10.1093/jel/eqv001 Published: 29 2015

How does a regulatory regime cope with the demands of being evidence based? Given contestation and uncertainties associated knowledge claims, what are processes at work? This paper addresses these questions in context relatively new planning concerned consenting major infrastructure projects, focussing on renewable energy. The adopts Science Technology Studies perspective, showing how black-boxing plays key role establishing knowledge-claims that can support decision-making. However, it also...

There is currently a considerable emphasis on delivering major renewable energy infrastructure projects. Such projects will have impacts local communities; some may be perceived as positive but others viewed more negatively. Any just regulatory process for considering and permitting such need to heed the concerns that communities voice. But what counts voice? In this paper it argued plays performative role, constructing Furthermore, has consequences how deliberations proceed outcomes of...

Planning for large-scale infrastructure is expected to enable public participation, including in decisions on major renewable-energy (REI). This paper examines the UK's Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) decision-making processes, which offer a particular arrangement of representation and contributions local people, with limited opportunities dialogue. The study uses focus groups provide insights into experiences involvement REI NSIP regulation. Findings confirm that there...

Government policy in the UK, as many countries, sees investment infrastructure projects – particularly large ones a key means of supporting national economy. But where does this leave local economic interests loci these projects? And how regulation such handle interests? These are questions addressed by paper context renewable energy that regulated Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects regime. Drawing on original research into 12 and using thematic analysis documents focus groups...

Law frequently demands the production, sometimes effortful, of adequate knowledge for decision making. This article explores challenging epistemic made by nature conservation law during planning approval processes major offshore wind farms. It this area through prism co‐production: not only are ‘science’ and ‘facts’ socially legally constructed, but in addition, scientific factual findings shape society, governance. Models used to assess whether bird deaths associated with a proposed farm...

The past 15 years have seen dramatic changes in social norms around sex and sexuality the UK worldwide. In 2011, London Natural History Museum (NHM) contributed to these debates by opening temporary exhibition Sexual Nature, which aimed provide 'a candid exploration of natural world' whilst also drawing an under-represented audience young adults. Nature provides opportunity explore Macdonald's 'politics display' mutual construction (public) scientific knowledge, society sexuality, at a time...

This paper considers the impact of Snow's Two Culture's thesis on debates about place science and scientists in society latter part twentieth century. Debates concerned with public understanding 'science wars', both which relied to some extent dividing into 'two cultures', are contextualised within longer efforts by popularise definitions their relationship other epistemic communities. argues that we should think all these episodes as ongoing rhetorical boundary work, reflective strains...

held on possible voluntary restrictions prescribing barbiturate.