About Us
The Sciencewise-ERC provides co-funding and specialist advice and support to Government departments and agencies to develop and commission public dialogue activities in emerging areas of science and technology.
Who are we?
The Sciencewise Expert Resource Centre for Public Dialogue In Science and Innovation (ERC) is funded by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS).
It consists of a comprehensive online resource of information, advice and guidance together with a wide range of support services aimed at policy makers and all the different stakeholders involved in science and technology policy making, including the public.
History
In 2000, the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee published a report on ‘Science and Society’ which called for much more meaningful engagement between scientists, policy makers and the public on emerging scientific issues.
Until then, engagement between the Government and citizens on scientific issues had focused mainly on promoting the ‘public understanding of science.’
Aims and Objectives
Sciencewise-ERC aims to help policy makers commission and use public dialogue to inform policy decisions in emerging areas of science and technology.
It aims to provide a comprehensive online resource of information, advice and guidance together with a wide range of support services aimed at policy makers and all the different stakeholders involved in science and technology policy-making, including the public.