The Use of Experts in Public Dialogue

The Sciencewise-ERC’s Guiding Principles for Public Dialogue in Science and Technology require experts to take part in public dialogue. A great deal of attention has been placed in the past on the public participants and the process by which they are engaged in a dialogue. Somewhat less attention has been given to the reasons why experts are involved and the process by which they are recruited, and yet their input can be a key factor in whether the dialogue is a success or not.

Led by Suzannah Landsdell, the research offers guidance on how to make the best use of ‘expert’ advice in public dialogue and within the wider policy-making process. Specifically, it offers:

• guidance on how to commission expert advice in science and technology dialogues and on the actual role of the experts
• identification of the challenges facing experts and how these can be overcome
• an exploration of the cultural issues which create or contribute to the challenges faced by experts
• practical aspects of involving experts in public dialogue

The research covers everything from recruitment and briefing of experts and the roles they might take, to guidelines for their active participation in dialogue sessions and their continuing input after the project has finished. Underlying this guidance is the need to improve the experts’ experiences of being involved in dialogue and to make it a valuable exercise with greater impact, not just for the participants, but for the experts as well.