Why public engagement is, and always has been and always will be, critical for science

Professor Bruce Lewenstein from Cornell University addresses the point “Why public engagement is, and always has been and always will be, critical for science.

Actionable Insights

Professor Lewenstein underscores the indispensable role of public engagement in science, highlighting its historical roots and evolving nature. It’s critical to know where we have been in order to know where we could potentially go. For researchers, practitioners, and community leaders, some of the actionable insights include the importance of embracing multi-directional engagement strategies, acknowledging and reflecting on the ethical and societal implications of their work, and actively engaging with diverse audiences. He stresses the need for the scientific community to foster dialogues that are inclusive and responsive to public concerns, thereby building trust and facilitating a more informed and engaged public. This approach is essential for addressing complex, multifaceted issues (“wicked problems”) that science seeks to solve, urging a shift towards more collaborative and transparent engagement with society at large.

Photo. Credit: Karlsruhe Institut Fur Technologie Sustain.Berlin, Drusnoise | Quantum Inspired Sounds (Forum) (Berlin Science Week 2023).

landscape, public engagement, history,

Civic Science Media Lab

CSML's mission is to document the diverse practices of civic science to inform, educate, and inspire current and the next generation of practitioners in the field, and the broader publics. Through the practice of ethnographic civic science journalism, the lab offers practitioners a sandbox for experimentation—using video, digital publishing, and audio—to surface and make sense of the knowledge, lived experiences, behaviors, motivations, and responsibilities that shape civic science.