Sciencewise-ERC evaluation

At the request of BIS, the Sciencewise Expert Resource Centre (Sciencewise), has undertaken a detailed evaluation of the establishment and activities of the initiative, with a particular focus on the impacts of the work and the challenges that have arisen.

This evaluation study has been undertaken by Diane Warburton of Shared Practice Ltd, and her report is available to download. The annex provides a detailed summary of the findings from the evaluations of each individual dialogue project funded by Sciencewise.

The study covers the period from the start of Sciencewise in February 2008 to June 2010. As this is such a major review of Sciencewise, the study also covers the history and early activities of Sciencewise from its original launch in 2004, particularly in relation to the public dialogue projects funded by Sciencewise from the beginning.

Overall, the study presents evidence that Sciencewise has had significant positive impacts on public policy on developments in science and technology through the public dialogue projects co-funded by Sciencewise.  It also shows how the programme has improved the quality and success, as well as increased the number, of those public dialogue projects by providing advice and guidance on the design, delivery, evaluation and communications.

Inevitably, problems and challenges have arisen, and some have been tackled effectively providing useful lessons for the future. Some key strategic concerns remain including the dangers of public dialogue being misused to manipulate, co-opt or close down public debates on contentious issues and/or to legitimise pre-existing public policy decisions. Several practical questions have also been raised over the detailed design and delivery of good practice in public dialogue, and the support services provided by Sciencewise.

The evaluation is not an evaluation or review of the state of public dialogue in the UK, what public dialogue should be or what strategic directions should be followed to develop public dialogue in future - in science and technology policy or more widely. The outputs from the evaluation are intended to identify practical lessons for the continuing development of the design and delivery of dialogue projects and the support services that Sciencewise offers, and to increase the transparency and accountability of the work of Sciencewise.

Alan Mercer
Sciencewise Programme Director