Research and innovation for all: UKRI’s public engagement strategy
- Published: 23 Nov 2022
Launched today, 23rd November, the UKRI public engagement strategy sets out how UKRI will break down the barriers between research and innovation, and society. It highlights the relevance of science centres, museums and gallery spaces in delivering this strategy.
UKRI was established in 2018 as a result of the Nurse Review, which made the case for “a compact that bonds science and society, which will both deliver excellent science and ensure that it is used for the public good”. This new public engagement strategy outlines how UKRI will break down the barriers between research, innovation and society, using their unique role as a funder of all research and innovation disciplines and sectors, and steward of a vibrant and healthy system.
Three goals for the new public engagement strategy:
- Build a sense of shared endeavour by making research and innovation relevant and accessible to all
Research and innovation are central to the future of everyone in the UK. We want everyone to feel part of a shared endeavour, that is relevant, accessible, useful and worthy of their trust. - Make sure the benefits of research and innovation are shared widely by supporting collaboration and valuing diverse forms of knowledge
Collaboration leads to better ideas, better research and innovation, and makes our investments more responsive to the needs of society. We want researchers, innovators, policymakers and publics to work together to advance knowledge, develop tomorrow’s technologies and address national and global challenges in partnership. - Create opportunities for all by inspiring and engaging the next generation
Young people are our future decision-makers and the researchers and innovators of tomorrow. We want researchers and innovators to inspire and engage the next generation so they feel that research and innovation is open, accessible and something to which they can contribute and from which they can benefit throughout their lives.
Public engagement includes any activity that seek to break down the barriers between research, innovation and society, for instance:
- collaborative research
- patient and public involvement (PPI)
- public dialogue
- activity at festivals, museums and science centres
- schools engagement
UKRI will:
- support culture change to make public engagement an integral and valuable part of research and innovation funding and practice
- invest in infrastructure and partnerships to build the skills, capacities and networks that enable long-term, meaningful collaborations between researchers, innovators and wider society
- support innovative pilots to find what works, share lessons and support the growth of effective approaches
ASDC plays an integral part of delivering this strategy through the new Mindsets + Missions programme, working with UKRI, Museums Assocation and Liminal Space to support the key role of science and discovery centres and museums in breaking down the barriers between research, innovation and society.