Dialogue Projects
The Sciencewise-ERC provides co-funding to Government departments and agencies to develop and commission public dialogue activities.
Sciencewise was originally an open grants scheme, which funded a number of science engagement projects. This has been revised with the new round of funding (from 1st February 2008) and projects are now commissioned directly with policy makers in line with priority areas for engagement in science and technology.
Bioscience
Dialogue projects in the areas of science that deal with the structure and behaviour of living organisms.
This area includes the following projects: Synthetic Biology, Public Perception of Industrial Biotechnology, Community X-Change
Climate Change
Public dialogues on the way in which people use energy within their homes and communities and also on national energy related issues.
This area includes the following projects: Community X-Change, The Big Energy Shift, Low Carbon Communities Challenge, Geoengineering, Citizens Advisory Forum for Living with Environmental Change, Planet under Pressure Conference – Youth Voice
Environment
Dialogue projects on our interaction with the environment, including landscapes, and how these may develop over time.
This area includes the following projects: Public engagement on landscape and ecosystem futures, Planet under Pressure Conference – Youth Voice
Food
Dialogues on issues to do with food including the way in which current and future food production is researched and managed.
This area includes the following projects: Food: The use of genetic modification, Synthetic Biology, Community X-Change
Futures
Dialogues in which future scenarios and possibilities are discussed and considered, often out to 2030 or 2050.
This area includes the following projects: Sciencehorizons
Governing Science and Technology
Dialogue projects that consider how science and technology is governed, and the impact of public views.
This area includes the following projects: Science, Trust & Public Engagement, Community X-Change and Risky Business, Review of Research Councils UK Public Dialogues
Healthcare
Dialogue projects on a range of subjects within healthcare including embryo research and drugs.
This area includes the following projects: Animals Containing Human Material, Stem Cell Dialogue, Hybrids and Chimeras, Drugsfutures
Information and Communication Technology
Dialogue projects within which the ethics of new information and communication technology and its use are considered.
This area includes the following projects: TrustGuide
Information Management and Use
Dialogue on issues to do with the use and management of information, for instance on the National DNA Database.
This area includes the following projects: Sciencehorizons, Forensic Use of DNA Citizens Enquiry and Public dialogue on data openness, data re-use and data management
Nanotechnology
Dialogues on the governance and development of nanotechnologies.
This area includes the following projects: Nanodialogues, Nanotechnology Engagement Group
Public Engagement Practice
Dialogue and public engagement projects on wide ranging topics within science and technology. These projects do not relate specifically to policy.
This area includes the following projects: Community X-Change, The Science Communication Working Lunches (SCWL), Democs, Risky Business, Nanodialogues
Wellbeing
Covers the area of wellbeing – how an individual is able to develop their potential, work productively and creatively, build strong and positive relationships with others, and contribute to their community.
This area includes the following projects: Ways to Wellbeing.