Research Councils UK (RCUK) is a strategic partnership that champions the research supported by the seven UK Research Councils. Through RCUK the Research Councils are creating a common framework for research, training and knowledge transfer. Further details are available at www.rcuk.ac.uk.

  This response is submitted by RCUK, on behalf of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and represents our independent views.

We appreciate the opportunity to submit evidence to this inquiry.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  The Research councils have developed a number of valuable partnerships with science centres and believe that they provide an important channel in the UK for public engagement with science, much of which, at least via the independent science and discovery centres, is contemporary. Many centres have schools' programmes which also help fulfil objectives around securing the future supply of researchers and enabling all to act as informed citizens. Therefore the Research Councils believe that the viability of the sector is important for public engagement, and we recommend that Government work hard to facilitate the finding of solutions to support its long-term future.

ROLE OF SECTOR—PARTNERSHIP WORKING

  1.  There are a number of different ways with which Research Councils UK works with science centres, including support for teacher workshops, presentation of Research Council exhibitions and associated public discussion meetings, training packages for researchers followed up by activity at their local science centre (eg Meet the Scientist, an EPSRC funded scheme that finished in March 2007).

  2.  Often Research Councils are approached individually for support with exhibitions in their remit. This either occurs at an early stage in development which is welcomed as it allows genuine input, or a late stage when the gap in contemporary research is noticed and the Research Councils are an ideal partner to fill that gap with access to our research community.

  3.  Research Councils also initiate partnerships, developing exhibitions which then use science centres as good venues as they tour around the UK. However difficulties with this approach can be lack of suitable space, venues booked up years ahead, and previously exhibits have been "bumped" at the last minute for something different.

  4.  A number of the Research Councils work regularly in partnership with science and discovery centres. Such partnerships help Research Councils to fulfil their strategic aims for public engagement, for example by engaging young people with contemporary research to enhance their experience of science thereby encouraging more to pursue science studies beyond 16 and follow R&D careers, and enabling more to act as informed citizens; by increasing public awareness of the developments, achievements and impacts that flow from Research Council funded research; and (less frequently) by supporting our researchers to engage with the public directly.[5]

  5.  RCUK believes that science centres provide a good basis for regional activities, and the opportunities to reach local audiences. They can provide local contacts, expertise in science communication, additional materials and a non-threatening venue for the public.

  6.  The perception is that the centres differ considerably in approach: some seeming to take a predominantly "entertainment" style in presenting science; and others focusing more on public dialogue around issues raised by contemporary research. The latter relate more closely with RCUK's objectives, and good interactions have been developed with several, including exhibitions and discussion meetings at ThinkTank (Birmingham), W5 (Belfast), Centre for Life (Newcastle), Sensation (Dundee), Dynamic Earth (Edinburgh), National Space Centre (Leicester) and the Glasgow Science Centre.

  7.  In our experience the opportunities to work in partnership with centres to help deliver our objectives varies significantly. For example, we would identify ThinkTank, At-Bristol and Techniquest as being particularly effective in encouraging local researchers to contribute, and promoting direct scientist-school student, scientist-public interactions. However, having a consistently proactive science engagement programme linking with researchers can sometimes be due to passionate individuals, rather than the science centre fulfilling any sort of obligation within its remit or placed on it by funding bodies.

  8.  The centres provide an important vehicle for public engagement with science and technology, and this has increased significantly in the past 10 years. We understand that there are now 17 million visits per year to centres (source: Ecsite-uk). We note that UK activity is well co-ordinated because of the effective sector organisation "Ecsite-uk" (we understand that this situation does not apply in many other European countries).

  9.  However, some features, for example entry charges, industry-sponsored displays, and an understandable tendency to attract people already interested in science rather than a wider public, mean that a range of other venues is needed for our public engagement work, such as museums, civic centres, shopping centres and botanical gardens.

  10.  When looking at potential partnerships with centres, we assess the ability for direct involvement with RCUK-funded research and researchers, and will only participate when this is the case. The activity must be relevant to RCUK strategic goals, be of high quality, have a good audience potential (mainly schools and families via this route) and value for money, with a significant enough impact to warrant the spend. We have found in general that centres have provided a good return in terms of quality and quantity of public engagement.

  11.  Examples of collaborations between Research Councils and Science Centres are:

  12.  Although Research Councils are not responsible for the viability of this sector, it is likely that the many investments made in new exhibitions and events will have helped centres attract audiences back for repeat visits.

FUNDING

  13.  We note that there is a significant difference between those "science centres" which are nationally funded, and those which are independent and rely on their own income generation. When referring to issues surrounding funding and long-term viability, the latter are the focus of attention.

  14.  The costs required for full scale development of exhibits means that RCUK will never be a primary funder for science centres. Collectively we are looking in the future to create perhaps one travelling exhibition every three to four years on a cross-Council theme, although individual Councils will continue to support activities within their own remit additionally.

  15.  For example STFC currently has a Science Centres Awards scheme which provides grants of up to £25,000 for project which promote astronomy, space, nuclear and particle physics through science and discovery centres and museums. STFC also has other award schemes (all of which require the applicant to get support from an STFC researcher), including the Large Award scheme which has been fundamental to the redevelopment of a gallery at the National Space Centre and one of their planetarium shows that has been used at three science centres around the UK. Other Research Councils also have grant schemes where researchers can apply in collaboration with a science centre as a public engagement route for their research, for example EPSRC Partnerships for Public Engagement and RCUK National Science and Engineering Week Awards. This is the route by which we would encourage most science centres to approach us, however we recognise that it does not allow for development of large exhibits or new galleries which might cover a number of topic areas, or require input from a range of researchers.

  16.  It is noted that in Scotland core funding from the Executive has lead to the development of the Scottish Science Centre Network with a shared strategy, and this is seen as a positive development.

  17.  RCUK understand that many science centres do not receive any funding other than what they can generate from footfall through the doors, corporate business and corporate sponsorship. This means that the centres' often have their prime focus on what will generate income rather than what can best serve the public and the Research Councils in terms of science communication.

  18.  This can lead to the staffing of the science centres being geared toward income generation rather than successful science engagement, and the limited income means that investment in redevelopment will often prioritise enhancing the corporate facilities and associated staff rather than the exhibits or staff involved in public engagement.

  19.  It is likely that if the centres had fewer financial concerns, RCUK would be able to develop more fruitful relationships, and the centres themselves would be a better conduit for but any financial relief should be given with obligations to improve their science communication efforts and staffing.

  20.  It is perhaps notable that the Science Museum, which receives core funding, is currently consulting broadly at the developmental stage of their Mathematics Gallery project. The ability to spend resources on ensuring linkage with activities of Research Councils and others active in science communication and public engagement, rather than always developing their own activities is to be welcomed, and all centres should explore opportunities to work in this way. Opportunities for centres to work more closely with Science Learning Centres could increase outreach to young people. Centres should also look to create links with the RCUK/HEFCE Beacons for Public Engagement and with local institutes and centres funded by the Councils.

June 2007