The British Science Association (BSA) has published A Changing Sector: Where is science communication now? , a report of the science communication and public engagement sector in the UK today. We think this sector is crucial to ensuring science is open and accessible to everyone in the UK, whether they are a scientist or not.
This is the first time that we have surveyed people from across the sector, from different subjects, disciplines and organisations within science communication, from researchers who do science communication in addition to their regular work, to full time professional science communicators.
The results reveal a fascinating picture of who science communicators are, what they do, and what their vision is for the future of science communication. It also reveals some of the challenges the sector faces, and we look forward to working with this engaged and passionate community to solve them.
The key findings and questions raised by the report were:
- There are some key hubs in the UK for science communication and public engagement
London (26%), South West England (14%) and Scotland (11%) each had a higher percentage of science communicators than would be expected for their population.
- Two thirds of science communicators are women
We compared the demographics of science communicators to national data. Respondents were more likely to be female (66%) and the majority were aged between 25-44 (68%). There was no statistical difference in ethnicity compared with national data.
- Is science communication the right name?
There was no clear consensus on how people described their sector – roughly equal proportions of survey respondents classed themselves as working in education (30%), science communication (29%) and public engagement (21%).
- Should there be an official body for science communicators?
The majority of respondents (55%) believed the sector should become more professionalised through an official body, but there was also strong opposition to this approach (45%).
- Science communicators want to change the way the world sees science, and many do this unpaid
Respondents were driven by making science part of culture (39%), keeping the public informed about science (27%) and making science more democratic (14%). The majority (66%) are undertaking some of this work unpaid.
- Moving the sector forward – connectivity, recognition and standards
Respondents’ suggestions for moving the sector forward fell into three main categories. Better connectivity between science communicators, and with those outside the sector was most common (33%). Many respondents were also keen to see more recognition for public engagement (29%) and for standards to improve through better sharing of information and training (20%). Our interviews showed that in practice, these issues are interlinked.
We have released an inforgraphic to accompany the report: